COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Compensation

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what measures her Department is taking to discourage the compensation culture and promote sensible risk management.

Phil Woolas: This Department is represented on the cross-government Ministerial Steering group which is promoting sensible risk management as part of its work on tackling perceptions of a compensation culture. Officials are working with colleagues from the Department for Constitutional Affairs, Local Government Employers, and the Health and Safety Executive, on a workshop "Risk and Redress—The way Forward for Local Government", which will look at approaches to managing risk sensibly. The workshop will involve local government stakeholders.
	In addition the Department is taking a number of specific steps to promote good risk management. The Department will shortly bring forward revised guidance under the How To programme, which aims to raise the quality of town centres, residential areas, and parks and green spaces by encouraging and supporting a climate of good practice. The new guidance will provide advice on how local managers of the public realm, and parks in particular, should assess and manage risk and the perception of risk.
	The Department has also tasked the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) with undertaking research and producing good practice guidance on how risk affects the design and management of the public realm. This work will be disseminated in partnership with other relevant organisations later this year.

Councillors: Conflict of Interests

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether restrictions may be imposed upon local councillors to prevent them taking part in public debate on land sale decisions by local authorities.

Phil Woolas: There is no legislation preventing local councillors from discussing issues of concern with their constituents or other members of the public. However, in any such discussion about matters such as a land sale, councillors, if they are to be involved in the final decision, must avoid giving the impression of having a predetermined view, or otherwise risk that decision being challenged in the courts. It is a matter for each member to ensure that, in the circumstances of particular cases, such an impression is not given. Members may wish to seek advice on their position from their authority's monitoring officer. The Local Government Association has published guidance on avoiding predetermination in "Probity in Planning: The role of councillors and Officers".

Departmental Travel

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answers of 4 December 2006,  Official Report, column 172W, and 19 January 2007,  Official Report, column 1352W, on departmental travel, what the costs were of the staff trips to  (a) the Far East and  (b) North America.

Ruth Kelly: The cost of staff trips to the Far East and North America during this period were £23,664 and £43,544 respectively.

Home Information Packs

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2007,  Official Report, column 1353W, on Home Information Packs, what the timetable is for producing the new estimated costs in the revised regulatory impact assessment.

Ruth Kelly: A regulatory impact assessment was published alongside the Home Information Pack regulations, which were laid before Parliament on 29 March 2007.

Housing: Castle Point

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many  (a) individuals and  (b) families were in housing need in Castle Point in each of the last 10 years.

Phil Woolas: The Department does not make estimates of housing need as any such estimates would be unlikely to adequately reflect the diversity of needs and priorities at the local level. Instead local authorities are required to assess housing need assessments as part of their Strategic Local Housing Market Assessments.
	The Department has a variety of strategies for addressing housing need, including concentrating efforts and resources on homelessness prevention activities, increasing investment in the provision of new social housing and improving the stock of existing social housing through the Decent Homes programme.

Housing: Flood Control

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of the acreage of land prone to flooding which will be developed with housing during the next five years.

Yvette Cooper: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given on 27 March 2007,  Official Report, column 1419W.

Housing: Sustainable Development

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what effect her Department expects the Code for Sustainable Homes to have on environmental performance.

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what effect her Department expects the Code for Sustainable Housing to have on environmental performance.

Angela Smith: The Code for Sustainable Homes (the Code) came into effect in the beginning of April 2007 as a voluntary assessment and rating system. All homes built with Housing Corporation and Communities and Local Government housing growth programme funding, and all housing developed by English Partnerships will be built to Code Level 3 from April 2008. These new homes will be 25 per cent. more energy efficient than current Building Regulations, use less water than the average home and have an improved environmental performance overall. In the longer term it is expected that the Code will drive up environmental performance of new homes.

IPPR

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funding the Commission for Racial Equality provided to  (a) the IPPR and  (b) IPPR Trading Ltd in each year since May 1997; and for what purpose.

Ruth Kelly: The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) has provided funding as follows:
	
		
			  Body  Year  Amount (£)  Purpose 
			 IPPR 2002-03 6,525 Donation in support of a Delivering Race Equality in the Public Sector event; and for a Race and Governance Project (to cover extra administrative support to organise the event, catering and publication). 
			 IPPR 2003-04 5,875 Sponsorship of an IPPR fringe event at the 2003 Labour Party conference, which covered a lunch time public debate. 
			 IPPR Trading Ltd 2006-07 28,350 Research and policy work on new migration and conflict resolution.

IPPR

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funding her Department, and its predecessor, provided to  (a) the IPPR and  (b) IPPR Trading Ltd in each year since 2002; and for what purpose.

Ruth Kelly: The following table sets out the expenditure incurred by the Department and, prior to May 2006, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, on the procurement of goods and services from the IPPR and IPPR Trading Ltd in each year since 2002.
	
		
			  Financial year  IPPR (£)  IPPR Trading Ltd (£)  Service 
			 2002-03 0 0 — 
			 2003-04 74,385 0 Policy and research work for the Social Exclusion Unit 
			 2004-05 18,148 0 Policy and research work for the Social Exclusion Unit 
			 2005-06 27,917 19,153 Policy and research work for the National Community Forum on community participation 
			 2006-07 (to date) 44,806 4,935 Policy and research work for the National Community Forum on community participation and cities 
			 Total 165,256 24,088

IPPR

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funding the Housing Corporation has provided to  (a) the IPPR and  (b) IPPR Trading Ltd in each year since May 1997; and for what purpose.

Ruth Kelly: The Housing Corporation is a non-departmental public body funded by Communities and Local Government. Through its innovation and good practice grants programme, which aims to facilitate the development of innovative approaches and promote good practice in the housing sector, the Corporation has provided the following grant to IPPR Trading Ltd. (Institute for Public Policy Research Trading Ltd.). All payments were given as grants and are VAT inclusive.
	
		
			£ 
			 31 May 1999 to 31 May 2000 Holding Policy Forums, Interim 10,000 
			
			 1 June 2000 to 31 May 2001 Holding Policy Forums, Final 10,000 
			
			 31 May 2002 to 31 May 2003 "A New Regional Policy for the UK", Interim 10,000 
			  "Not for Profit Public/Private Partnership" 40,000 
			
			 1 June 2003 to 31 May 2004 "Home Ownership Task Force Report", Final 11,500 
			  "A New Regional Policy for the UK" 10,000 
			
			 31 May 2005 to 31 May 2006 "HA tenants attitude to tenure", Interim 5,875 
			
			 1 June 2006 to 31 May 2007 (to date) "HA tenants attitude to tenure", Final 5,875 
		
	
	The Housing Corporation has not provided any funding to IPPR.

IPPR

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funding English Partnerships has provided to  (a) the IPPR and  (b) IPPR Trading Ltd in each year since May 1997; and for what purpose.

Ruth Kelly: English Partnerships is a non-departmental public body funded by Communities and Local Government.
	English Partnerships has made the following payments to the Institute for Public Policy Research:
	May 2005—£20,000 for research into sustainable communities growth areas;
	December 2006—£6,500 for mixed income communities project;
	January 2007—£6,000 for mixed income communities project (second instalment).
	No payments have been made to IPPR Trading Ltd.

Local Government: Reform

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on what basis she took the decision to implement no more than eight proposals for local government restructuring; and what  (a) research and  (b) consultation her Department undertook in relation to that decision.

Ruth Kelly: A decision has not been taken to implement no more than eight proposals for local government restructuring. We are now consulting on the proposals which in our judgment deliver the outcomes specified in our "Invitation to Councils". We will take final decisions following consultation. Proposals will proceed to implementation if, and only if, when we take our final decisions, we remain satisfied that they meet the criteria, and that the overall use of reserves is affordable, having regard to the prevailing fiscal position and risk around the costs of implementation.

Non-Domestic Rates

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether the presence of  (a) solar panels and  (b) small-scale wind turbines is taken into account by the Valuation Office Agency when assessing the rateable value of a business premises for business rates purposes.

Phil Woolas: Both solar panels and wind turbines (of whatever size) are named items in Table 1 to Class 1 of the Schedule to the Valuation for Rating (Plant and Machinery) (England) Regulations 2000 [SI 2000 No. 540]. As such the Valuation Office Agency is required to take the presence of such plant into account when assessing the rateable value of business premises. The question as to whether the presence of such plant is likely to have a significant impact, or any effect at all, upon the rateable value of a particular property is a valuation matter which will depend upon the facts in each case.

Unitary Councils

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of the cost of the establishment of unitary authorities were all 16 bids to be approved.

Phil Woolas: The 16 unitary proposals, now subject to consultation, cover 13 areas, for three of which there are two alternative proposals. Each proposal contains a detailed financial analysis of costs and savings which show that if unitary structures were implemented in all 13 areas the costs would range from some £190 million to £200 million depending on the alternative chosen.

Valuation Office

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans the Valuation Office Agency has to amend the type or number of  (a) dwelling house and  (b) value significant codes.

Phil Woolas: None.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Bailiffs: Certification

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what guidance she has issued on the disclosure by local authorities of the terms of contracts with bailiffs for the enforcement of debt and collection of arrears under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 relating to  (a) greater transparency and  (b) specific requests.

Vera Baird: My Department has not issued any guidance to local authorities on this issue.

Census: Freedom of Information

Mike Hancock: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many applications for Freedom of Information Act access to extracts from the 1911 Census were received by the National Archives  (a) between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2006 and  (b) between 1 January and 31 March 2007; and how many of those applications were successful in each period.

Vera Baird: The National Archives received 264 requests for information from the 1911 census under the Freedom of Information Act between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2006, none of which were successful and 456 requests for information from the 1911 census under the Freedom of Information Act between 1 January 2007 and 31 March 2007 of which 424 have been successful.

Employment Tribunals Service

Philip Davies: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment she has made of the compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights of the practice of employment tribunals in discrimination cases of placing the burden of proof on employers to prove there has been no breach of the principle of equal treatment.

Vera Baird: The UK introduced provisions to reverse the burden of proof in domestic discrimination cases (where a prima facie case has been established) to implement its obligations under the Burden of Proof Directive (97/80/EC), as extended to the UK by Directive (98/52/EC), the Race Directive (2000/43/EC) and the Framework Directive (2000/78/EC). These provisions apply only when a claimant has proved, at a hearing, facts from which the tribunal or court could conclude that an act of discrimination had taken place. In such circumstances, the respondent is required to prove that he did not commit an unlawful act.
	The UK implemented the above provisions with respect to sex discrimination cases by way of the Sex Discrimination (Indirect Discrimination and Burden of Proof) Regulations 2001 SI 2001/2660. The provisions with respect to Race Discrimination were implemented by means of the Race Relations Act 1976 (Amendment) Regulations 2003 SI 2003/1626 (regs. 41 and 43).
	The Government informed Parliament at the time that each set of regulations was compatible with the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms as incorporated in the Human Rights Act 1998.

Freedom of Information

Dai Davies: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs pursuant to the answer of 12 March 2007,  Official Report, columns 113-14W, on freedom of information, if she will publish in full all responses to the consultation on the draft Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2007; and when her Department expects to make public the responses to the consultation.

Vera Baird: On 29 March 2007 my Department issued a supplementary paper to the consultation on draft Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2007. Responses to the supplementary paper and any further comments on the draft regulations contained in the consultation paper are invited by 21 June 2007. We will publish the responses to both papers within three months of this date.

Legal Aid Scheme

Anne Milton: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many people had charges levied by the Legal Services Commission on their property in respect of legal aid they had received in each year since 2001; and how frequently such people were sent statements of the initial value of the charge and the interest accrued.

Vera Baird: The number of new registrations of land charges securing civil debts recorded by the Legal Services Commission since 2001 are:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2001-02 6,833 
			 2002-03 5,846 
			 2003-04 4,649 
			 2004-05 4,943 
			 2005-06 5,004 
			 2006-07 3,989 
		
	
	Owing to changes to the system for managing the production of statutory charge statements, the Commission is unable to provide information on their frequency pre-2003. From September 2004, the Commission has, where possible, sent clients an automated statement annually.
	In line with the LSC's corporate target for 2006-07, by 31 March 2007 all customers that had an LSC registered charge against their property had been sent a statement informing them of their liability.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Departments: Official Hospitality

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures are in place to limit the amount of money spent on alcohol for hospitality purposes by her Department.

David Lammy: In the Department for Culture, Media and Sport the Gifts and Hospitality Guidance stipulates that any claims for alcoholic beverages with lunch/dinner must be limited to a half a bottle of wine per person. Claims for alcoholic drinks at any other time must have the Group Director's approval. The monetary value of the overall lunch/dinner is subject to a limit of £30 per head.

Gambling: Advertising

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much her Department has allocated to spending on advertising the dangers of problem gambling ahead of the implementation of the Gambling Act 2005.

Richard Caborn: The Responsibility in Gambling Trust is currently developing a strategy for a national public awareness campaign to include signposting to help and information on responsible gambling.
	The Trust has already funded an awareness campaign aimed at young people. The campaign is currently being rolled out to schools and youth clubs through children's charity Tacade.

Gambling: Orders and Regulations

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the Orders under the Gambling Act 2005 that have yet to be laid before Parliament; and what her Department's planned timetable is for doing so.

Richard Caborn: The following table sets out which subordinate legislation making powers the Department currently expects to be exercised under the Gambling Act 2005, and the provisional dates by which relevant Statutory Instruments are currently expected to be laid.
	
		
			  Number  Provisions of the  G ambling  A ct 2005 under which powers to be exercised  Description  Planned date for laying 
			 1 Sections 7(5), (6), and (7) To define the categories of casino May 2007 
			 2 Section 236 To define the four classes of gaming machine (A -D) May 2007 
			 3 Section 235(3)(f) To define "domestic computer" and "dual use computer" for the purposes of the definition of a "gaming machine" June 2007 
			 4 Sections 266(2), 267(2), and Schedule 12, paragraph 10(3) To prescribe types of gaming clubs which are to fall within the definitions of "members' club" and "commercial club" for the purposes of Part 12, and which are prescribed for the purposes of fast-track applications for a club gaming or club machine permit June 2007 
			 5 Section 271(3) To specify types of unequal chance gaming authorised by club gaming permits June 2007 
			 6 Section 282(2)(b) To prescribe the notification fee for an automatic entitlement to two gaming machines in alcohol licensed premises June 2007 
			 7 Schedule 13, paragraphs 2(e), 7(1), 7(2), 9,11(2) To prescribe the form of licensed premises gaming machine permits; to prescribe the application fee and various other fees in connection with the permits; to prescribe other matters relating to the permits June 2007 
			 8 Sections 269(2) and (4) To specify conditions for exempt gaming in clubs June 2007 
			 9 Section 279(2) To specify conditions for exempt gaming in alcohol licensed premises June 2007 
			 10 Section 78 To prescribe the Secretary of State's conditions to be attached to operating licences June 2007 
			 11 Section 235(2)(d) To set out the minimum time interval for the announcement of results by a lottery ticket vending machine June 2007 
			 12 Sections 293(2) and (4) To prescribe conditions for prize gaming July 2007 
			 13 Schedule 12, paragraphs 2, 3(1), 4, 10 and (4), 11(1), 14, 15(2), 16(2). To prescribe various matters with respect to applications for club gaming and club machine permits; to prescribe the form of the permits; to prescribe various fees and other matters July 2007 
			 14 Sections197, 200, and 203 To prescribe the forms and manner for applications for a review of a premises licence July 2007 
			 15 Section 215 To prescribe the activities for which a temporary use notice may be sought, the form, content and fee for a temporary use notice July 2007 
			 16 Section 33 1(4) To specify a country or place to be treated as if it were an EEA State for purposes of section 331(1), prohibiting the advertising of foreign gambling July 2007 
			 17 Sections 216, 219, 224 and 227 To prescribe the form and content of a temporary use notice, and counter-notice, and to prescribe the fee for a temporary use notice July 2007 
			 18 Sections 300(4) and (5) To prescribe conditions for non-commercial equal-chance gaming July 2007 
			 19 Schedule 11, paragraphs 3 and 4 To prescribe the limits on deductions in respect of costs of prizes and costs incurred in organising exempt lotteries August 2007 
			 20 Schedule 11, paragraphs 42, 44, 46 and 54 To prescribe the application form, fees and other matters in relation to the registration of non commercial societies August 2007 
			 21 Section 240 Regulations controlling the operation of gaming machines August 2007 
			 22 Section 241 Regulations controlling the supply and installation of gaming machines August 2007 
			 23 Section 235(5) To make provision for a single piece of apparatus to constitute more than one gaming machine August 2007 
			 24 Schedule 9, paragraph 2 Regulations concerning the publication of invitations for competing casino applications and the timing of responses (1)— 
			 25 Section 175(4) To determine the geographical distribution of casino premises licences (1)— 
			 26 Section 172(6) To define 'gaming table' for the purposes of the machine to gaming table ratio in subsections (3) to (5) of section 172. (1)— 
			 27 Sections 358(4) to (6) Transitional provisions for the Tote and Levy (1)— 
			 (1) Date to be decided.

Gaming Machines: Regulation

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what her Department's most recent estimate is of the costs to industry of complying with the gaming machine regulations to be made in accordance with sections 240 and 241 of the Gambling Act 2005 and the new machine technical standards;
	(2)  what representations her Department has received from industry regarding the lead times necessary to convert existing machines and to build new machines to comply with the new technical standards required under the Gambling Act 2005 and the new gaming machine regulations to achieve the planned implementation date of 1 September; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: The Department is consulting industry and other groups on proposals under sections 240 and 241 of the Gambling Act 2005, including on potential compliance costs and lead times, and within the context of the licensing objectives to keep gambling crime free, to make sure that gambling is fair and open and to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm. In the course of doing so the Department has received written representations from a number of organisations.
	The proposals have been drafted to ensure that the vast majority of gaming machines as defined by Part III of the Gaming Act 1968 will comply with the regulations at minimum cost.
	The Gambling Commission is responsible for setting gaming machine technical standards and is currently engaged in a similar consultation process with the industry.

Gaming Machines: Regulation

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects to lay before Parliament the statutory instrument implementing the gaming machine regulations to be made under sections 240 and 241 of the Gambling Act 2005.

Richard Caborn: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is currently consulting with industry and other groups on draft proposals under sections 240 and 241 of the Gambling Act 2005 and currently expects to lay the relevant statutory instruments in August 2007.

Sports: EC Countries

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the progress of the European Sports Review.

Richard Caborn: The Independent European Sport Review was instigated under the UK Presidency following the expression of concerns about the state of football by both UEFA and FIFA. The Review, conducted by an independent review team, undertook an examination of the challenges to the future stability and success of the game posed by commercialisation and the place of sport within the wider EU legal framework. Its publication in final form in October has triggered a wide-ranging debate both within sport and at EU level.
	The Review contains recommendations aimed at football's governing bodies, the European Commission and member states. Sport is autonomous and much of the responsibility for taking forward the issues raised lies with sport itself. It is for football to agree what it wants to achieve, develop more detailed proposals and engage with the political authorities. My Department has been encouraging this process and there is a well developed debate taking place among the numerous clubs, leagues and governing bodies across Europe.
	UEFA has made good progress and already implemented a range of the Review's recommendations aimed at it. These include putting in place a new Strategic Council to involve clubs, leagues and players in top-level decision-making, a range of enhancements to its Club Licensing system, the launch of a feasibility study into a European Supporters Direct, based on the highly successful UK model, and enhancement of anti-racism disciplinary measures.
	The key issue the Review raises for the Commission and member states is how the 2000 Nice Declaration can be effectively implemented to ensure the special nature of Sport is recognised in policy-making and in the application of EU rules. Doing so will help overcome the current uncertainty facing those involved in the game and help enable them to find the right balance between its commercial and sporting sides.
	The UK has been working closely with the Commission and other member states to take this forward. The Commission will publish a White Paper on Sport this summer that will address this issue and respond to the Review's recommendations aimed at it. I would like to see this set out clearly how the Commission plans to "sports-proof" its decision-making and thus fulfil the commitments made in the Nice Declaration. I strongly welcome indications that it will also recommend the development of an ongoing structured dialogue between sport and the EU aimed at finding a way forward on the kind of issues raised by the Review.
	There is widespread support across Europe to help sport tackle the challenges facing it. The European Parliament issued a Report on the future of Professional Sport on 28 March (the Belet Report) which welcomes the Review and asks the Commission to establish an action plan based upon its recommendations. The Council of Europe has, at the UK's instigation, agreed to consider the issues raised by the Review as part of its new Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport.
	The Review is one of a number of recent initiatives that have acted as a catalyst to the wider debate that has been going on in football, and other sports, about where the right balance between its commercial and sporting sides lies and how it can best secure its future stability and success within the wider EU framework. I look forward to the Commission's White Paper as the next key milestone in taking forward the debate on how the political level can help football, and sport more widely, to achieve this within the wider EU framework.

Sports: EC Countries

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received from  (a) the Premier League and  (b) individual Premier League clubs on the European Sports Review.

Richard Caborn: Regular discussions have taken place around the issues raised by the Independent European Sports Review with a wide range of professional sports stakeholders. The review covers a substantial number of subject areas that have long been of interest to professional sports and therefore regularly forms part of the backdrop to discussions and correspondence on a variety of issues.
	There has been an ongoing dialogue with the Premier League since the review's publication. The Premier League, along with other stakeholders, were invited to set out their thoughts on the review in writing following its publication and took this opportunity to present a written submission to me. I have subsequently met the chief executive and chairman of the League on a number of occasions and recently attended a meeting of Premier League chairs, at which individual clubs had the opportunity to put forward their views and engage in the debate.
	Following an earlier invitation to all Premier League clubs to do so, Sheffield United, Wigan, Charlton and Everton have all written to me setting out their thoughts on the review.

Television: Telephone Services

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures her Department plans to take to ensure transparency in the conduct of those television operators employing telephone voting in their programme; and if she will assess the merits of introducing a code of conduct for such operators.

Shaun Woodward: Responsibility for regulation rests with the independent regulators, Ofcom and ICSTIS. Following a consultation with broadcasters ICSTIS has set out a range of actions to restore public trust. This includes introducing a licensing regime for all premium rate service providers, operating participation TV services. Ofcom has also recently announced an inquiry into the compliance of broadcasters.

Written Questions

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will reply to question numbers 129383 and 129384, on expenditure on the 2012 Olympics, tabled by the hon. Member for Faversham and Mid Kent on 20 March.

Tessa Jowell: I can confirm that the questions referred to were answered on 18 April.

DEFENCE

Armed Forces: Council Tax

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress on discussions between his Department and the Department for Communities and Local Government on council tax exemption for members of the armed forces serving overseas.

Derek Twigg: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 16 April 2007,  Official Report, column 130W, to the hon. Member for Forest of Dean (Mr. Harper).

Armed Forces: Deployment

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether current  (a) commitments and  (b) planning assumptions include capacity for urgent operations in (i) the UK and (ii) overseas.

Des Browne: The Joint Rapid Reaction Force comprises force elements available at very short notice for rapid commitment to overseas operations.
	The MOD also maintains the ability to support the Home Office and the police, who have the lead responsibility for security in the UK through the provision of air defence and other specialist capabilities, such as explosive ordnance disposal.

Armed Forces: Housing

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how frequently the quality of single living accommodation is reviewed for the purposes of assessing grade for charge; how this process is performed; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 19 March 2007
	The assessment of all Defence accommodation is undertaken by grading boards consisting of a mixture of service officers and technical experts. The process of grading involves assigning deficiency points against a predefined checklist of assessment criteria. The number of deficiency points awarded, if any, then determines the grade for charge, on a scale of one to four, and hence the level of accommodation charge. Normally accommodation is graded on a four year rolling programme. A grading board may also convene on completion of a refurbishment or if the grade for charge is challenged by the occupant shortly after move in.

Armed Forces: South Africa

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to take steps to enable South Africans serving in the British armed forces to be offered British citizenship.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 16 April 2007
	We are currently looking at a range of options for personnel should the South African Prohibition of Mercenary Activities and Prohibition and Regulation of Certain Activities in Areas of Armed Conflict Bill be enacted so that we can support those who may be affected.
	Under current rules eligible South Africans serving in the British armed forces can apply for British citizenship if they have been resident in the UK for a five year period, or three years if married or in a civil partnership to a British citizen. Service in the armed forces, at home and abroad, counts towards the residential qualifying period.
	Active engagement with the South African Department of Defence is on-going and we hope to secure a date for the officials' visit at the earliest opportunity.

Armed Forces: South Africa

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of the South African Prohibition of Mercenary Activities and Prohibition and Regulation of Certain Activities in Areas of Armed Conflict Bill on the ability of South African personnel  (a) to serve in and  (b) to deploy with the British armed forces.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 16 April 2007
	 The proposed Bill, if enacted as currently drafted, would mean that South African personnel would need to apply for permission to serve in a foreign armed force, but that such permission would lapse if the person to whom it has been granted takes part in an armed conflict.
	We are urgently investigating the potential consequences for South African personnel currently serving in the UK armed forces, should the legislation be enacted, so that we can support those who may be affected.

Bombs

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the failed destruct rate is of smart cluster bombs; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: There have been a number of trials of the 155mm L20A1 extended range bomblet shell, which contains M85 bomblets. When the totality of test and acceptance firings is analysed over the life of the munition, the average bomblet failure rate is approximately 2 per cent. As part of its ongoing quality and performance regime the MOD continues to actively monitor the performance of this system and explore ways of reducing the failure rate still further in partnership with the supplier.

Iraq: Detainees

Chris Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether it is still official practice to hood and handcuff Iraqi prisoners and to make them adopt the stress position; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: UK forces are expressly forbidden from hooding any prisoners or making them adopt stress positions under any circumstances. During the transit of prisoners, however, the use of blindfolding (usually with blacked out goggles) is permitted when necessary to prevent compromise of operational security or the safety of detainees through identification by other detainees. Handcuffing of prisoners is permitted when necessary to prevent escape and for the protection of UK troops and/or other detainees.

Iraq: Peace Keeping Operations

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Territorial Army  (a) were killed and  (b) were injured in action in (i) Iraq and (ii) Afghanistan in each of the last five years.

Derek Twigg: The number of Territorial Army personnel killed and wounded in action (WIA)(1) in Iraq and Afghanistan in each of the last five years is as follow:
	(1) Prior to 2005 the WIA statistics may not contain all instances of the lowest severity (unlisted) classification of injury.
	
		
			   Iraq  Afghanistan 
			   Deaths  WIA  Deaths  WIA 
			 2002 0 0 0 0 
			 2003 4 2 0 0 
			 2004 0 5 1 2 
			 2005 1 2 0 0 
			 2006 0 4 0 1

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Adult Education: Basic Skills

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many adults in each  (a) parliamentary constituency and  (b) Learning and Skills Council area have gained basic skills as a result of the Skills for Life programme.

Phil Hope: The following table shows the total number of adults (aged 19 and above) achieving at least one Skills for Life/basic skills learning aim in the period August 2005 to July 2006 by Local Learning and Skills Council (LSC) area. (It is important to note that many learners achieve more than one SFL aim and these data are not discounted for repeat learners.) These data are not currently available by parliamentary constituency.
	
		
			  Local LSC  Adult learners achievement of Skills for Life/basic skills learning aims ( T housand) 
			 Bedfordshire and Luton 10 
			 Berkshire 11 
			 Birmingham and Solihull 21 
			 Black Country 13 
			 Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole 6 
			 Cambridgeshire 9 
			 Cheshire and Warrington 8 
			 County Durham 5 
			 Coventry and Warwickshire 8 
			 Cumbria 5 
			 Derbyshire 5 
			 Devon and Cornwall 17 
			 Essex 11 
			 Gloucestershire 6 
			 Greater Manchester 32 
			 Greater Merseyside 22 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 15 
			 Hereford and Worcestershire LSC 4 
			 Hertfordshire 5 
			 Humberside 11 
			 Kent and Medway 9 
			 Lancashire 12 
			 Leicestershire 12 
			 Lincolnshire and Rutland 6 
			 London Central 26 
			 London East 29 
			 London North 12 
			 London South 10 
			 London West 17 
			 Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire 10 
			 National Employer Service 28 
			 Norfolk 6 
			 North Yorkshire 4 
			 Northamptonshire 5 
			 Northumberland 2 
			 Nottinghamshire 13 
			 Shropshire 2 
			 Somerset 4 
			 South Yorkshire 13 
			 Staffordshire 8 
			 Suffolk 8 
			 Surrey 6 
			 Sussex 13 
			 Tees Valley 8 
			 Tyne and Wear 18 
			 West of England 10 
			 West Yorkshire 20 
			 Wiltshire and Swindon 5 
			 Total 539 
			  Source: LSC's Individual Learner Record (ILR) and Employer Training Pilots (ETP) databases, October 2007 estimates.

Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the budget for the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service is for each of the next three years; and what it was for each of the last three years.

Parmjit Dhanda: At a time of budget restrictions the Government have maintained the budget for the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) and it was increased to £106,698,000 (net of receipts) in 2007-08. The CAFCASS budget for future years has not yet been finalised. The resource budgets in previous years are as follows:
	
		
			   £ 
			 2006-07 106,003,000 
			 2005-06 (1)107,000,000 
			 2004-05 (1)107,000,000 
			 (1) Includes the budget for CAFCASS Cymru 
		
	
	These are the latest agreed budgets for each year and some include increases for specific activity in that year.

Classroom Assistants: Qualifications

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the minimum qualification requirements are for learning support assistants.

Jim Knight: There are no general minimum qualification requirements for learning support/teaching assistants in schools. It is for schools to determine the suitability of individual candidates for posts. However, there are a range of qualifications and professional standards that support staff can undertake to develop their depth of skills and abilities. These range from bespoke Vocational Qualifications (VQ) such as the Support Work in Schools VQ, through to Level 2 and 3 National Vocational Qualifications and the professional standards for Higher Level Teaching Assistants.

Education: Assessments

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how much was spent by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority on the key stage 3 and 4 review supplement in  The Guardian newspaper on 3 April;
	(2)  which employees within the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority contributed to the key stage 3 and 4 review supplement in  The Guardian newspaper on 3 April;
	(3)  if he will place in the Library a copy of the brief the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority agreed with Guardian Professional in relation to the key stage 3 and 4 review supplement in  The Guardian newspaper on 3 April.

Jim Knight: The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority spent £66,975 (including VAT) on  The Guardian, 'Freedom to Learn' supplement on 3 April. The sponsored supplement package included the hardcopy format (editorial, design and print) and an online version, with web chat facilities. Part of QCA's role is to communicate curriculum changes effectively to teachers, head teachers, and the wider subject community.
	Those from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority who contributed to the supplement were the Director of Curriculum, the Head of Curriculum Development, members of the Curriculum Development Team and members of the Communications and Marketing Division.
	A copy of the brief agreed with Guardian Professional for the 3 April is to be placed in the House Library.

Education: Sight Impaired

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what strategies are in place to increase the availability of approved educational materials that are accessible for the visually impaired;
	(2)  what assistance his Department  (a) provides and  (b) plans to provide to increase the availability of educational materials to the visually impaired;
	(3)  what funding his Department provides for educational resources that are accessible to visually impaired schoolchildren;
	(4)  what discussions he has had with educational publishers on increasing the availability of educational materials available in formats more accessible by those with disabilities.

Parmjit Dhanda: The Department's SEN Strategy "Removing Barriers to Achievement" sets out our vision for giving children with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities the opportunity to succeed. Provision for children with SEN and disabilities, including support for those with a visual impairment is made by schools and local authorities through the SEN and disability frameworks.
	In particular Part 4 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 requires schools and local authorities to plan to improve access to the curriculum and written materials for disabled pupils over time. Additionally the new Disability Equality Duty introduced by the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 requires all public bodies including schools and local authorities to promote disability equality more widely. We also continue to invest significant resources to support the education of children with SEN and disabilities, some £4.5 billion in 2006/07.
	To assist the provision of materials in accessible alternative formats for children with a visual impairment, the Government supported the Copyright (Visually Impaired Persons) Act 2002 which reduces delays in gaining copyright clearance to produce books and other printed materials in formats accessible to visually impaired people. The Department of Trade and Industry is also working on a feasibility study to look at opportunities for publishers to provide education material in accessible formats more quickly and the Department for Education and Skills is involved in the process.

Foster Care: Vetting

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what Criminal Records Bureau checks take place before someone can qualify as a foster parent; and what criteria are used to determine a person's suitability for fostering following such checks.

Parmjit Dhanda: The approvals process for prospective foster carers is set out in the Fostering Services Regulations 2002. Paragraph 13 of schedule 3 of the regulations requires that, before any person can be approved as a foster parent, an enhanced disclosure check must be obtained. Adult members of the prospective foster carer's household are subject to a standard disclosure check.
	In assessing any person whom it considers may be suitable to become a foster carer, the fostering service provider is required to obtain the range of information prescribed in schedule 3 of the regulations as well as any other information it considers appropriate. On the basis of this information, the fostering service provider is required to prepare a written report which is referred to the fostering panel for consideration; the fostering panel then makes its own recommendation about the individual's suitability to foster. The final decision is made, taking into account this recommendation, by the fostering service provider. Subject to paragraph 27(6), a person would automatically be considered unsuitable to become a foster carer if he/she, or any other adult member of the household, had committed a specified offence under the terms of the regulations. If this is not the case, the decision as to whether or not to approve an individual as a foster carer is made by the fostering service provider in line with the process outlined above.

Further Education: Standards

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many times the power to intervene in further education colleges under section 57 of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 was exercised in each year since 1997; and what the circumstances were of each intervention.

Bill Rammell: The Department's records indicate that the powers under section 57 of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 have never been used except where, following the resignation of the governing body, the Secretary of State has been required to appoint new governors. We consider that the existence of these powers does contribute to better outcomes in resolving cases where institutions get into difficulties.
	We expect these powers to be used only in exceptional circumstances—where all other options have failed. We believe that having the power available and the possibility of it being exercised, has been the trigger in some cases for governing bodies to act themselves.

Geography: Curriculum

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills where in the revised geography programme of study produced by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority as part of the secondary curriculum review he expects pupils to learn about  (a) tectonic processes,  (b) geomorphological processes,  (c) weather and climate,  (d) ecosystems,  (e) population distribution and change and  (f) the growth and development of settlements.

Jim Knight: The proposed key stage 3 programme of study for geography requires that pupils develop an understanding of the physical and human characteristics of real places, and how physical and human processes shape places, landscapes and societies. They are also required to study people-environment interactions and their consequences.
	These requirements give the opportunity to cover all the topics identified in the question for instance, tectonic and geomorphological processes are physical processes; ecosystems are studied by learning about specific places; and population distribution and change, and the growth and development of settlements are influenced by the interaction between human and physical geography. The supporting text to the programme of study emphasises that weather and climate should be included in physical geography.
	Teachers will use the national curriculum planning guidance to ensure appropriate coverage of these topics, while taking full advantage of the flexibility offered by the new programme of study.

Higher Education: Applications

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many applications were received by universities for each discipline in the last 12 months, broken down by  (a) gender,  (b) ethnicity and  (c) age group.

Bill Rammell: Information showing the final numbers of applicants who applied for entry in autumn 2006 are shown in the tables. The figures are taken from data collected by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) which are limited to students who apply to full-time undergraduate courses via the UCAS application system. The figures do not therefore cover part-time students, nor those full-time students who apply directly to Higher Education Institutions. Comparable data for students applying for autumn 2007 entry will not be available until January 2008, but early figures published by UCAS show that, by January 15, applicants from England had risen by 7.1 per cent. to 291,000, which is the highest ever number of applicants at this point in the application cycle.
	
		
			  Applicants from England to UCAS by subject group and gender—autumn 2006 entry 
			   Men  Women  Total 
			 Medicine and Dentistry 6,634 8,047 14,681 
			 Subjects allied to medicine 6,523 23,919 30,442 
			 Biological Sciences 10,808 15,538 26,346 
			 Veterinary science and related 932 2,334 3,266 
			 Physical sciences 6,776 4,135 10,911 
			 Mathematics and Computer studies 14,044 3,533 17,577 
			 Engineering 9,775 962 10,737 
			 Technologies 893 195 1,088 
			 Architecture, Building and Planning 4,085 1,447 5,532 
			 Social Studies 9,354 16,176 25,530 
			 Law 5,156 8,944 14,100 
			 Business and Administrative Studies 17,376 15,135 32,511 
			 Mass Communication and documentation 3,180 4,090 7,270 
			 Linguistics, Classics and related 3,072 7,301 10,373 
			 European Languages and related 1,025 2,460 3,485 
			 Non European languages and related 436 547 983 
			 History and philosophical studies 6,050 5,981 12,031 
			 Creative art and design 17,100 27,291 44,391 
			 Education 1,560 11,496 13,056 
			 Combined courses 9,640 14,200 23,840 
			 No preferred subject group 25,203 24,714 49,917 
			 Total 159,622 198,445 358,067 
			  Source: UCAS 
		
	
	
		
			  Applicants from England to UCAS by subject group and ethnic group—autumn 2006 entry 
			   White  Asian  Black  Mixed  Other  NK( 1)  Total 
			 Medicine and Dentistry 7,887 4,624 896 532 447 295 14,681 
			 Subjects allied to medicine 21,252 4,564 3,025 690 435 476 30,442 
			 Biological Sciences 21,898 1,803 1,268 841 244 292 26,346 
			 Veterinary science and related 3,124 40 20 52 5 25 3,266 
			 Physical sciences 9,727 529 156 259 71 169 10,911 
			 Mathematics and Computer studies 11,521 3,664 1,295 533 276 288 17,577 
			 Engineering 7,604 1,500 955 278 204 196 10,737 
			 Technologies 958 33 49 26 7 15 1,088 
			 Architecture, Building and Planning 4,194 684 316 164 98 76 5,532 
			 Social Studies 17,828 2,574 3,499 904 276 449 25,530 
			 Law 8,783 3,021 1,305 519 259 213 14,100 
			 Business and Administrative Studies 20,618 6,649 3,197 1,024 554 469 32,511 
			 Mass Communication and documentation 5,888 436 480 284 87 95 7,270 
			 Linguistics, Classics and related 9,061 535 162 349 83 183 10,373 
			 European Languages and related 3,140 75 71 108 38 53 3,485 
			 Non European languages and related 805 62 21 51 19 25 983 
			 History and philosophical studies 10,937 334 143 310 85 222 12,031 
			 Creative art and design 38,000 1,863 1,793 1,657 433 645 44,391 
			 Education 11,457 878 336 227 74 84 13,056 
			 Combined courses 19,715 1,704 1,040 757 209 415 23,840 
			 No preferred subject group 26,205 4,313 3484 1,405 593 13,917 49,917 
			 Total 260,602 39,885 23,511 10,970 4,497 18,602 358,067 
			 (1 )NK = applicants whose ethnicity is not known.  Source: UCAS. 
		
	
	
		
			  Applicants from England to UCAS by subject group and age group—autumn 2006 entry 
			   Under 21  21-24  25-39  40 and over  Total 
			 Medicine and Dentistry 9,633 2,731 2,153 164 14,681 
			 Subjects allied to medicine 17,011 4,163 7,301 1,967 30,442 
			 Biological Sciences 23,146 1,687 1,260 253 26,346 
			 Veterinary science and related 2,435 413 338 80 3,266 
			 Physical sciences 9,969 469 392 81 10,911 
			 Mathematics and Computer studies 14,971 1,601 876 129 17,577 
			 Engineering 9,110 931 635 61 10,737 
			 Technologies 771 187 115 15 1,088 
			 Architecture, Building and Planning 4,597 495 369 71 5,532 
			 Social Studies 16,302 2,862 4,647 1,719 25,530 
			 Law 12,301 933 702 164 14,100 
			 Business and Administrative Studies 28,140 2,853 1,367 151 32,511 
			 Mass Communication and documentation 6,438 586 209 37 7,270 
			 Linguistics, Classics and related 9,390 489 357 137 10,373 
			 European Languages and related 3,259 103 87 36 3,485 
			 Non European languages and related 822 83 59 19 983 
			 History and philosophical studies 10,763 530 456 282 12,031 
			 Creative art and design 35,508 5,091 2,766 1,026 44,391 
			 Education 9,605 1,360 1,619 472 13,056 
			 Combined courses 19,690 2,031 1,683 436 23,840 
			 No preferred subject group 29,170 9,765 8,428 2,554 49,917 
			 Total 273,031 39,363 35,819 9,854 358,067 
			  Source: UCAS

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority: Overseas Visits

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many overseas visits have been made by each member of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) executive in the past 12 months; and how many of these were funded by  (a) the QCA and  (b) an overseas organisation.

Jim Knight: The executive members of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) who have made overseas visits in the last 12 months are the chief executive (one), director of curriculum (four) and director of regulation and standards (four). None of the visits were funded by the QCA. Five of the visits were funded by overseas organisations.

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority: Overseas Visits

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many visits the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) received from representatives of overseas curriculum setting bodies in the last 12 months; and how many were funded by  (a) the QCA and  (b) an overseas organisation.

Jim Knight: The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) received 69 visits from representatives of overseas organisations in the last 12 months, including many with an interest in curriculum issues. None of these visits were funded by QCA.

Refuges: Pilot Schemes

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will place in the Library a copy of the evaluation of community-based flexible refuge pilots commissioned by his Department.

Parmjit Dhanda: The Barnardo's report on the six community-based refuge pilots, and a separate "Lessons Learned" summary, are currently in draft form. Officials are working closely with Barnardo's to revise and finalise these, to extract the maximum learning from the pilots. Copies of the final versions will be placed in the Library.

School Day: Lancashire

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools in  (a) Lancashire and  (b) Ribble Valley offer extended hours; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: There are 43 primary schools, 11 secondary schools and two special schools in Lancashire providing access to the extended schools full core offer of services, one of which, Harris Primary School, is located in the Ribble Valley. The core offer includes primary schools providing access to child care from 8 am-6 pm all year round in response to demand, all schools offering access to a range of activities beyond the school day, parenting support, swift and easy referral and opening up facilities to the wider community.
	A number of schools in Lancashire are offering the extended hours elements of the core offer as shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Phase  Number of schools delivering the child care element  Number of schools delivering the menu of activities element 
			 Primary 120 212 
			 Secondary — 48 
			 Special 2 9 
			 Total 122 269 
		
	
	The following table shows a breakdown of schools by type in the Ribble Valley offering the extended hours elements of the core offer:
	
		
			  Phase  Number of schools delivering the child care element  Number of schools delivering the menu of activities element 
			 Primary 13 10 
			 Secondary — 6 
			 Special — — 
			 Total 13 16 
		
	
	By 2010 all schools in England will be offering the extended school core offer of services.

Schools: Construction

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many new schools were built in each local authority area in each year since 1997; and which of these schools have a source of energy provided by on-site renewables.

Jim Knight: We do not currently have the data on how many new schools have been built in each local authority area in each year since 1997. We therefore do not know all of the schools which have a source of energy provided by on-site renewables but we do know of a few hundred schools that have a source of energy provided by on-site renewables.

Secondary Education: Curriculum

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what alterations were made to the secondary curriculum programmes of study and level descriptions produced by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) secondary curriculum review between their approval by the QCA board on 14 December 2006 and their publication.

Jim Knight: The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority made minor alterations to a number of programmes of study and level descriptions between 14 December 2007 and 18 January 2007. The substantive alterations included:
	Revisions to the mathematics programmes of study and level descriptions following consultation with a small group of mathematics experts;
	Revisions to the science level descriptions following consultation with a small group of independent scientists;
	An amendment to the Key Stage 3 science programme of study to include 'conception' as something which can be affected by diet, drugs and disease;
	Revisions to the list of pre-twentieth century authors contained in the English programmes of study;
	Adding a reference to the development of international institutions, including the European Union, in the Key Stage 3 history programme of study;
	The inclusion of other major spoken world languages as well as European Union languages in the Key Stage 3 Modern Foreign Languages programme of study;
	Adding a reference to the importance of marriage in family relationships the qualities of good parenting and its value to family life in the personal well-being programmes of study.

Secondary Education: Curriculum

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 21 February 2007,  Official Report, columns 1817-18W, on Bishops Park college, what the evidential basis was for the statement that Bishops Park college's approach to the curriculum has been shown to be effective in  (a) helping to improve staying on rates,  (b) reducing the number of exclusions and teenage pregnancies and  (c) increasing parental satisfaction.

Jim Knight: Bishop's Park college is part of a study from the National College of School Leadership Research Associate programme on staying-on rates, student pregnancies, exclusions and parental satisfaction. The college is one of over 1,000 schools that the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority is working with to promote the use of a broad range of measures in judging the effectiveness of the curriculum.
	I have requested a copy of the research from this programme and I will write separately to the hon. Gentleman with data about Bishop's Park college on receipt.

Secondary Education: Curriculum

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether he plans for pupils to be taught all the topics listed in the range and content sections of the revised National Curriculum programmes of study produced by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority as part of the secondary curriculum review.

Jim Knight: The range and content sections in the revised programmes of study will be presented in two parts.
	There will be one list of statutory content and a second list of recommended content. Pupils will be taught all of the topics in the statutory list. It will be for teachers to decide whether they will also teach some or all of the content from the recommended list.

Special Educational Needs

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the minimum qualification requirements are for special educational needs co-ordinators.

Parmjit Dhanda: There are no specific minimum qualification requirements in relation to special educational needs co-ordinators. School-based SENCOs are selected and appointed by head teachers, and the expectation is that heads will appoint someone with a proven track record of working successfully with children with SEN and disabilities. Training arrangements for SENCOs are currently determined locally, having regard to the knowledge, skills and experience of the person concerned, and the range and complexity of SEN and disabilities represented within the school.
	The Department's SEN Code of Practice, published in November 2001, contains guidance on the role and responsibilities of SENCOs. The Teacher Training Agency, now the Training and Development Agency for Schools, also published a set of National Standards for SENCOs in 1998.
	In our response to the Education and Skills Committee report on SEN, published 11 October 2006 (Cm 6940), we declared our intention to require, through regulations, all newly appointed SENCOs to undertake nationally accredited training. These regulations would be made pursuant to section 173 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006.
	The TDA are undertaking associated development work, beginning with establishing a clear statement of the key components of the role, knowledge, skills and experience required of those leading SEN and disability provision in schools.

Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance was issued by his Department to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal in each year since 1997; and if he will place in the Library copies of that guidance.

Parmjit Dhanda: Apart from the usual financial and administrative guidance that is given to non-departmental public bodies by central Government Departments and guidance that is available to all those who have duties under the special educational needs (SEN) statutory framework, such as the SEN Code of Practice and "Inclusive Schooling", the Department published Stage 1 of a "Quinquennial Review of the Special Educational Needs Tribunal" in August 2000. This included recommendations to the tribunal. Stage 2 of the review was a Financial Management Survey. Again recommendations were made to the tribunal. Copies of Stages 1 and 2 have been placed in the Library. No other formal guidance has been given to the tribunal.
	Responsibility for the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal transferred to the Department for Constitutional Affairs on 1 April 2006.

Teachers: Pay

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average starting salary is for a teacher in an  (a) maintained primary school,  (b) maintained secondary school and  (c) academy.

Jim Knight: The average salary of newly qualified teachers in full-time regular service in local authority schools in England in March 2005 was £19,550 in nursery and primary schools and £19,930 in secondary schools. This is the latest information available. Teachers included are those who attained qualified teacher status in 2004.
	No information is available for academies.

Teachers: Pay

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many maintained schools paid their head teachers  (a) more than £80,000,  (b) more than £90,000 and  (c) more than £100,000 in the latest year for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: Information is not available in the format requested.
	The following table provides the number of local authority maintained school leadership teachers paid more than £80,000, £90,000 and £100,000 in March 2005 the latest information available.
	
		
			  Local authority maintained schools leadership( 1)  teachers by annual salary, in England and Wales, March 2005( 2) 
			   Leadership  g roup 
			 £80,000 to £90,000 320 
			 £90,000 to £99,999 120 
			 Over £100,000 20 
			 Total 460 
			 (1) Includes Head, Deputy and Assistant head teachers (2) Provisional  Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.  Source:  Database of Teacher Records

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Environmental Policies

Kitty Ussher: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the contribution that supermarkets can make to helping reduce carbon dioxide emissions by adopting more stringent environmental policies.

David Miliband: We have recently consulted on cost-effective ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from large, non-energy intensive commercial and public sector organisations, including supermarkets. The results will be published shortly.
	In addition, work is already being done to improve the environmental performance of products sold by supermarkets, for example through the development of milk, fish and clothing roadmaps, a 'green standard' for food, encouraging supermarkets to reduce waste, and promoting energy efficiency products.

Tax Changes

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations he has received from environmental organisations in response to tax changes announced in the Budget.

David Miliband: We have received no specific representations from environmental organisations on this matter. However, we are in regular contact with such organisations on this and a range of other issues.

Agriculture: Subsidies

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 8 March 2007,  Official Report, columns 2181-82W, on agriculture subsidies, 
	(1)  what definition he uses of the UK's interests;
	(2)  when he expects a figure for disallowances of payments made by his Department to be available;
	(3)  when he expects the European Commission to complete its audit of the 2005 Single Payment Scheme.

Barry Gardiner: If the European Commission's audit of the 2005 Single Payment Scheme (SPS) in England follows normal patterns, we would expect to be informed of the final conclusions relating to it during the course of 2008. Only at that point will a definitive figure on disallowance, if any, be available. In the intervening period, the Department will, through its contacts with the Commission, continue to defend the UK's interests with the aim of ensuring that any disallowance proposals are minimised to the fullest possible degree.

Agriculture: Subsidies

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the contingent liabilities for disallowances arising from Common Agricultural Policy schemes in each month since January 2006; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 8 March 2007,  Official Report, column 2181W, on agriculture subsidies, to which years the estimated £305 million for disallowance arising from Common Agricultural Policy schemes applies; when the final disallowance will be  (a) finalised and  (b) announced in public; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the disallowance arising from Common Agricultural Policy schemes, with particular reference to the single farm payment and related contingent liabilities for each month since January 2006; and when he was first informed that the total disallowance in this respect may be up to £305 million;
	(4)  what definition he uses of a prudent and reasonable estimate, in the context of the claim on the reserve to cover provision for disallowance arising from Common Agricultural Policy schemes and the single farm payment and the possible financial correction the European Commission may apply;
	(5)  what his most recent estimate is of the disallowance resulting from Common Agricultural Policy schemes.

Barry Gardiner: The level of potential disallowance relating to all CAP schemes and all UK Paying Agencies is subject to ongoing review by officials and is based on an assessment of the payments process, communications received from, and negotiations with, the European Commission. These prudent, i.e. careful and cautious, assessments are brought together and reported to Ministers as necessary, as was the case for the provisions made in the Department's Resource Accounts for 2005-06 and for the claim on the reserve included in the Spring Supplementary Estimate for £305 million estimate cover, which related to potential provisions in respect of SPS 2005, SPS 2006 and other CAP schemes dating back to 2004. In each case, the overall estimates were based on the latest assessment of potential disallowances at the time. An exercise will be undertaken in relation to the Department's Resource Accounts for 2006-07, at which time a revised assessment will be made of the level of provisions required and what disclosures need to be made in respect of contingent liabilities.
	Detailed discussions will take place with the Commission over a number of years before a final figure is reached on any disallowances and the outcome will be disclosed in the Department's Resource Accounts in the year in which they are imposed.

Agriculture: Subsidies

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the conclusions and recommendations of the report by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee on the Rural Payments Agency and the implementation of the Single Payment Scheme.

David Miliband: I am grateful to the right hon. Member for Fylde (Mr. Jack) and his colleagues on the EFRA Committee for their work to produce this report. My Department is currently considering it and will publish a response in the usual way in due course.

Carbon Emissions

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress is being made in meeting the Government's environmental targets for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.

Ian Pearson: Emission of carbon dioxide fell by 6.4 per cent. between 1990 and 2005. Adjusted to include the European Union Emission Trading Scheme UK carbon dioxide emission in 2005 were approximately 11 per cent. lower than 1990 levels.
	Provisional 2006 figures indicate that carbon dioxide emissions were about 5.25 per cent. below their 1990 level. This does not include the effect of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.

Climate Change

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to communicate to the public the causes of climate change and the actions that can be taken to tackle it.

David Miliband: We are supporting a range of communications activities and campaigns to enable individuals to think about changing their behaviours to adopt lower carbon lifestyles and help tackle climate change.

Coal Fired Power Stations

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions his Department has had with the Department of Trade and Industry on the environmental impact of new coal-fired power stations.

Ian Pearson: DEFRA Ministers and officials regularly meet their DTI colleagues to discuss a wide range of energy and environmental issues, including the greenhouse gas impact of different forms of power generation.

Departments: Advertising

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department spent on  (a) sponsoring newspaper and publication supplements and  (b) funding advertorials in newspapers or publications in the last year for which figures are available; and what the topic was of each.

Barry Gardiner: During the financial year 2006-07, DEFRA's Communications Directorate has spent £42,316 on advertorials in newspapers and other publications. All this expenditure has been in relation to the Department's Personal Food Imports campaign.
	During the financial year 2006-07, DEFRA's Communications Directorate has not spent any funds sponsoring newspaper or publication supplements. However we have spent £26,213 on including our own supplements or inserts with newspapers or magazines (£15,000 on a DEFRA supplement with Farmers Weekly, and £11,213 on a DEFRA insert with Fishing News).
	Detail of any expenditure incurred by the wider Department is not available.

Departments: Postal Services

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which postal companies handle mail dispatched by his Department and its agencies.

Barry Gardiner: Royal Mail handle mail dispatched by DEFRA and its agencies.

Environment Agency

Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the Environment Agency's cost data from its management information systems.

Ian Pearson: The Agency uses these data to generate monthly reports, which are monitored by the EA Board. The same information is used to produce the Agency's annual accounts, and these are audited by the National Audit Office.

Marine Environment

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with the devolved Administrations on the drafting of legislation to protect the UK's marine environment.

Ben Bradshaw: Ministers and officials have held very constructive discussions with the devolved Administrations. I hope the Administrations in Wales and Scotland after the forthcoming elections are equally committed to the marine environment.

Recycling

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Local Government Association on the setting of targets for recycling.

Ben Bradshaw: We have regular discussions with representatives of local government and others to discuss recycling and other waste matters.
	The Local Government Association submitted a formal response to our consultation on a revised Waste Strategy for England. We are planning to publish the strategy shortly.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Bangladesh

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received on recent bombings in Bangladesh co-ordinated by Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh.

Kim Howells: We are not aware of any bomb attacks in recent months which have been confirmed as having been co-ordinated by Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh.

Bangladesh: Politics and Government

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received of the murder charges laid by the authorities in Bangladesh against Sheikh Hasina, leader of the Awami League party.

Kim Howells: We are aware that serious criminal charges have been brought against Sheikh Hasina and other political leaders in Bangladesh. We expect the caretaker Government to act in the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, to act with integrity and to respect human rights and the rule of law. We have reminded the Bangladesh Government of their responsibilities towards all those accused and urged them to ensure that due process is followed.

British Embassy: Washington

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Cabinet Ministers stayed at the British embassy in Washington between  (a) 3 and 9 February 2004 and  (b) 14 and 17 December 2004.

Ian McCartney: According to official records, no Cabinet Ministers stayed at our embassy in Washington on the dates in question.

Burma: Aung San Suu Kyi

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports she has received of the welfare of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Ian McCartney: We remain concerned about the welfare of Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been detained by the Burmese Government since May 2003.
	The conditions of her detention are very restrictive. Her doctor is allowed to visit her occasionally. On 24 November 2006, our Ambassador in Rangoon formally requested authority from the Burmese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to pay a courtesy call on her. The request was refused.
	I discussed the situation of Aung San Suu Kyi when I met the UN Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Ibrahim Gambari, on 15 November 2006. Mr. Gambari met her during his visit to Burma in November 2006. We understand that Aung Sang Suu Kyi assured Mr. Gambari that she was in reasonably good health. Mr. Gambari raised concerns about her welfare with the Burmese Government.
	We have repeatedly called for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners in Burma.

Burma: Human Rights

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations the Government has made to the United Nations Human Rights Council on  (a) conditions of political prisoners,  (b) freedom of the press and  (c) food provision in Burma.

Ian McCartney: I raised the human rights situation in Burma when I addressed the Human Rights Council on 13 March. I expressed our concern that the people of Burma did not enjoy the most basic of human rights, including the rights to freedom of speech and association; and that the fundamental tenets of good governance and the rule of law were not upheld. I also drew attention to ongoing serious human rights abuses, particularly in areas of armed conflict. The European Union Presidency and our Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva also set out our concerns in statements to the Council on 23 March.

Burma: Politics and Government

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress she has made in persuading the Government of Burma to improve their observance of human rights.

Ian McCartney: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office identifies Burma as a country of concern in our 2006 Annual Report on Human Rights. The Government's policy is to promote full respect for human rights in Burma encouraging the rule of law, democracy and good governance, and the freedom of association and speech in accordance with international human rights law.
	We have been at the forefront of international efforts over many years to bring pressure to bear on the military regime to re-establish democracy and to respect human rights. We take every opportunity to raise human rights issues with the regime and remind them of their obligations to adhere to international human rights law. Our Embassy in Rangoon also delivers capacity building assistance through our Global Opportunities Fund in support of these objectives.
	I have raised the human rights situation regularly with the Burmese regime and other Governments in the region. On 16 June 2006, I called in the Burmese Ambassador and on 5 July 2006 I wrote to the Burmese Foreign Minister, highlighting our many concerns. On 18 September 2006, I raised the serious human rights situation with the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Ambassadors, including the Burmese Ambassador, and on 4 December 2006 with the ASEAN Secretary-General. I have also raised Burma with the Governments of China, India, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and South Korea. I have discussed the human rights abuses taking place in Burma with Juan Mendez, the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide. I discussed Burma in detail with Ibrahim Gambari, the UN Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs, on 15 November 2006, following his visit to the country. Most recently, I raised the human rights situation in Burma in my address to the Human Rights Council in Geneva on 13 March and at the EU/ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Nuremberg on 15 March, in the presence of the Burmese Deputy Foreign Minister.
	In addition, our Ambassador in Rangoon regularly raises human rights with the regime, most recently when he met the Burmese Ministers for Planning and Immigration and the Burmese Deputy Foreign Minister on 5 January.
	The UK works closely with the EU and other international partners, including the UN and ASEAN, to promote human rights in Burma, and fully supports the efforts of the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Burma, Professor Sergio Pinheiro.
	We supported the efforts to have Burma added to the UN Security Council agenda in September 2006 and co-sponsored with the US a UN Security Council Resolution on Burma. This was put to the vote on 12 January. Nine members of the Security Council supported the Resolution. However, three States, including two Permanent Members of the Council, voted against and as such the Resolution was not adopted. While the result was disappointing, it is important to note that all Security Council members agreed that there were serious issues of concern in Burma. This, and the positive votes from the majority of Security Council partners, reflected the international community's deep concern over the plight of Burma's people. Burma remains on the UN Security Council agenda.

Departments: Recruitment

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many  (a) men and  (b) women failed the Band C Assessment and Development Centres in 2005-06, broken down by age groups (i) 20 to 29, (ii) 30 to 39 and (c) 40 plus.

Geoff Hoon: Our Management Information system records 71 per cent. (52 out of 73) male candidates failed the Band C Assessment Development Centre (ADC) in financial year 2005-06. The age group breakdown is: 20 to 29 year olds, 67 per cent. (14 out of 21 in this age group); 30 to 39 year olds, 78 per cent. (32 out of 41); and 40 plus year olds, 55 per cent. (six out of 11).
	The system records 67 per cent. of women (36 out of 54) failed the Band C ADC in financial year 2005-06. The age group breakdown is: 20 to 29 year olds, 36 per cent. of candidates (five out of 14 female in this age group); 30 to 39 year olds, 71 per cent. (20 out of 28); and 40 plus year olds, 92 per cent. (11 out of 12).

Iraq: Death

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the estimated Iraqi death toll for  (a) civilian deaths and  (b) all other deaths is for each month since March 2003; and what methods were used for the collation and presentation of the data.

Kim Howells: All deaths in Iraq resulting from military and terrorist attacks are a tragedy. The Government of Iraq are best placed to monitor the numbers of Iraqi casualties, but we continue to believe that there are no comprehensive or reliable figures for deaths since March 2003. Estimates vary according to the method of collection.
	According to figures released by the Iraqi Ministry of the Interior on 2 January 2007, 12,320 civilians were killed during 2006. The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq estimates that 34,452 civilians were killed in 2006, on the basis of information obtained through the Iraqi Health Ministry, hospitals and the Medico-Legal Institute in Baghdad. No further figures are currently available.

Nepal

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received on recent ethnic unrest in the south and east of Nepal.

Kim Howells: The UK was deeply disturbed by the events in Gaur, southern Nepal on 21 March during which 27 people were killed. This shocking display of violence is unacceptable in a democratic society and does not help Nepal or the peace process. Nor does it help address the legitimate grievances of the Madhesis and other disenfranchised groups in the Terai region who have been demonstrating for greater inclusion in the interim constitution and wider political process. We have urged the Government of Nepal to take prompt action to bring the perpetrators of this violence to justice and welcomed the statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, which also called for the Government of Nepal to launch an investigation into the killings in Gaur. The full text of the statement is available at:
	http://nepal.ohchr.org/resources/Documents/English/pressreleases/MAR2007/2007_03_22_HC_GAUR_E.pdf.
	We were concerned to read of threats against human rights defenders and journalists in the Terai. The UK has long supported the work of Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and other human rights groups in Nepal and will continue to support calls to tackle human rights violations and impunity.
	The continuing violence in the Terai reinforces the urgent need for the Government of Nepal to address Madhesi grievances and to work towards a more democratic and inclusive system. During his visit to Nepal on 2-4 April, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development met with a wide range of politicians from all parties, including Maoists. He urged all parties to refrain from violence and stressed the need for an inclusive political process.

Nepal: Elections

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assurances she has received that elections to a special assembly to rewrite the Nepalese constitution will be held in June.

Kim Howells: Nepal's Chief Election Commissioner told the media on 13 April that elections on 20 June are no longer possible. The Commissioner has also written to the Government of Nepal to say that, in order to prepare for an effective election, he requires 110 days from the date that all necessary election legislation has been passed. With the interim Parliament still debating the necessary legislation, the Election Commission has not yet been able to finalise procedures, manuals, training and voter education materials.
	In addition, the Electoral Constituency Delimitation Commission and Government have yet to agree on the delimitation of an additional 24 territorial constituencies.
	These have been introduced, mostly in the Terai, to add to the existing 205 throughout Nepal, in an attempt to address Madhesi concerns. The deadline for this exercise has been extended to 29 April.
	During his visit to Nepal on 2-4 April, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-secretary of State for International Development urged all parties to work towards free, fair and credible elections in an atmosphere free from violence and intimidation. He called on the Government of Nepal to ensure that voters were able genuinely and freely to express their will.
	The Government of Nepal have yet to react to the Chief Election Commissioner's letter. However, the eight parties are due to meet to discuss the announcement and consider next steps. In the meantime, we will encourage the Government to use any delay in the election process to create a transparent and properly sequenced plan for elections later this year. In addition, we will continue to work with the EU, the UN and our other international partners and non-governmental organisations to ensure that the political and security environment in Nepal is appropriate to allow free, fair and credible elections to take place.

Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what plans she has for proposals to take forward the UK's multilateral disarmament commitments in the run up to the May 2007 Preparatory Committee meeting for the 2010 nuclear non-proliferation treaty review conference; and whether she has had any discussions with her United States counterparts on such proposals;
	(2)  what initiatives she is planning to take forward the UK's multilateral disarmament commitments in the run up to the Preparatory Committee meeting for the 2010 nuclear non-proliferation treaty review conference in Vienna in May; and whether she has had any discussions with her United States counterpart on such proposals.

Kim Howells: The Government are strongly committed to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT), which is the cornerstone of the nuclear non-proliferation regime and the framework for nuclear disarmament. The UK is determined to make every effort to ensure that this review cycle results in a positive and substantive final document at the 2010 Review Conference that moves forward all aspects of Treaty implementation, including disarmament. We are working with allies, including the US, to lay the groundwork for this at the April-May 2007 NPT Preparatory Committee. We believe we have already made a contribution by announcing, in the White Paper on the Future of the UK's Nuclear Deterrent, a further 20 per cent. cut in our warhead stockpile.

Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what matters she plans to raise at the meeting of the nuclear non- proliferation treaty Preparatory Committee starting on 30 April; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The United Kingdom will work with the EU, with its allies in the Western European and Others' Group and with the other nuclear weapon states towards strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT) and the wider nuclear non-proliferation regime. There are a number of issues on which useful work could be undertaken, many of which were set out in the EU Common Position agreed for the 2005 review conference and remain outstanding. It will be important to build consensus on these areas, and any new workstreams, in this and future Preparatory Committees. We hope that this process will culminate in a substantive final document being agreed at the 2010 NPT review conference.

Post-conflict Reconstruction Unit

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on her Department's input to the Post-conflict Reconstruction Unit.

Kim Howells: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is actively engaged in all aspects of the Post- conflict Reconstruction Unit's (PCRU) work. The FCO, Ministry of Defence and Department for International Development provide strategic direction to the PCRU through quarterly meetings at director-level. The FCO also works closely with the PCRU on overarching issues such as security and rule of law, and on the PCRU's international deployments. The FCO has encouraged its staff to apply for positions in the unit: it currently has five working there.

HEALTH

Advertising

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much her Department has spent purchasing space in  The Guardian newspaper in each of the last five years.

Ivan Lewis: The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Childbirth: Deaths

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the death rate per million maternities from puerperal sepsis and other forms of septicaemia was in each year since 1999-2000; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: Deaths from puerperal sepsis are very rare. The Department-sponsored confidential enquiry into maternal deaths "Why Mothers Die" report for 2000-02 only identified five women who died of puerperal sepsis in the United Kingdom for the three years 2000 to 2002. This gives a maternal death rate of 2.5 per million maternities. The next report is due to be published later this year and will contain the figures for the three year period 2003-05.

Colorectal Cancer: Screening

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment she has made of the change in numbers of colorectal nurse specialist posts on the effectiveness of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The number of colorectal nurse specialists is not collected centrally and the Department has not undertaken an assessment of current numbers. It is for cancer networks to work in partnership with strategic health authorities, national health service trusts and postgraduate deaneries to put in place a sustainable process to assess, plan and review their work force needs and the education and training of all staff linked to local and national priorities for cancer including the implementation of the National Bowel Screening Programme.

Dentistry

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether her Department has sought to recruit dentists from India.

Rosie Winterton: Our Project 1,000 recruitment campaign, undertaken in 2004-05, extended to India. With the agreement of the Indian health department, the Department made arrangements for dentists to sit Part A of the General Dental Council's International Qualifying Examination in India.

Educational Psychology

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements are being considered for the  (a) regulation and  (b) training of educational psychologists following the proposals set out in the Regulation of Health Professionals White Paper, Cm 7013; what discussions she has had with local authorities on this matter; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The Government have decided that the Health Professions Council (HPC) should manage the regulation of applied psychologists, including educational psychologists. This will help to foster consistency of approach across the regulated professions while meeting specific professions' educational, practice and conduct needs within a common framework. It is anticipated that their training arrangements will remain as they are now. Any changes made following regulation will be subject to consultation by the HPC.
	This decision was made following a consultation in 2005 on proposals for the statutory regulation of applied psychologists, which made clear that initial standards of proficiency for applied psychologists would be very similar to those required by the British Psychological Society. The 2005 consultation included all local authorities and a number of local authority educational psychology services responded to it. Their responses have been taken into account.

Exercise

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what progress is being made by the Government on reaching their target of getting 70 per cent. of the population physically active by 2020; and what projects there are in place to reach the target;
	(2)  how much the Government have spent on reaching their target of getting 70 per cent. of the population physically active by 2020 in the last 12 months; and how much is planned to be spent over the next five years.

Caroline Flint: "Choosing Activity: a physical activity action plan" set out a plan to promote physical activity for all in accordance with the evidence and recommendations set out in the Chief Medical Officer's report "At least five a week". "Choosing Activity" summarised how we would deliver the physical activity commitments in the Public Health White Paper 'Choosing Health' and other Government announcements prior to its publication in March 2005. By January 2007, 57 of the 99 commitments had been achieved. Projects support physical activity and sport in schools, workplaces, and in the community.
	The Government's physical activity priorities were published in public service agreement targets to halt the year-on-year increase in obesity among children under 11, increase the take up of cultural and sporting opportunities by adults and young people aged 16 and above, and to enhance the take up of sporting opportunities by five to 16-year olds through physical exercise and school sport.
	The Government remain committed to building upon this progress and in transforming the population into a fitter and more active nation in the run up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
	The Government have invested and continue to invest millions in supporting physical activity and sport, nationally and across the NHS and local government. The Department does not collect detailed breakdowns of individual expenditure on physical activity by all local agencies such as primary care trusts and local authorities. Spending allocations for the next five years are subject to the current comprehensive spending review.

General Practitioners

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners in  (a) Bedfordshire and  (b) England have become GPs with a specialist interest in each year since 1997, broken down by primary care trust; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: A table showing the number of general practitioners with a special interest has been placed in the Library. This information is only available since 2000-01. The 2006-07 information is the latest information available to quarter 3.

General Practitioners: Dermatology

Bruce George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the General Practitioners with a Special Interest (GPwSI) Working Group's forthcoming guidance on the accreditation of GPwSI in dermatology and skin surgery will be a mandatory national standard; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: We are planning to publish "National Guidelines for the Accreditation of GPs and Pharmacists with Special Interests" shortly. This document will set out a process for local accreditation of such practitioners and will be supported by competency frameworks for a range of specialities, including dermatology. The Department is currently considering options to mandate primary care trust compliance with the guidelines.

Hammersmith Hospital and St. Mary's NHS Trusts

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what resources her Department has allocated to facilitate the take-over of Hammersmith and St. Mary hospital trust by Imperial College, London.

Andy Burnham: The Department has not allocated any specific resources to facilitate the proposed integration of St. Mary's national health service trust, the Hammersmith hospitals NHS trust and the Imperial College into the Academic Health Sciences Centre which is subject to the outcome of local public consultation.

Hartlepool Primary Care Trust: Health Visitors

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many health visitors were employed by Hartlepool Primary Care Trust in each year since the trust was established.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  National health service hospital and community health services: Health visitors in the Hartlepool Primary Care Trust as at 30 September each specified year 
			   Headcount 
			 2001 22 
			 2002 24 
			 2003 26 
			 2004 32 
			 2005 41 
			  Source: Information Centre for health and social care non-medical workforce census.

Health Professionals: Foreign Workers

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what checks are made on the validity of the medical qualifications of  (a) doctors and  (b) nurses who are recruited to the NHS from outside the European Union.

Rosie Winterton: All doctors and nurses from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who wish to work in the UK must register with the General Medical Council (CMC) or Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
	 Doctors:
	The following documentary evidence is needed by the CMC to support their application.
	primary medical qualification;
	specialist medical qualification;
	licence to practise medicine;
	certificate of good standing from a regulatory body of the country where they are practising;
	proof of nationality—passport or national identity card;
	curriculum vitae;
	International English Language Testing System (IELTS) certificate (if applicable); and
	current registration fee.
	As part of the process all overseas doctors must visit the GMC London office in person to undergo a pre-registration identity check. A photograph of the doctor will be taken and this will be made available to employers so they can be assured of the doctor's identity.
	Full registration enables doctors to work in any form of professional medical practice in the United Kingdom. Doctors must, however, also hold specialist registration to take up a consultant post (other than a locum consultant post) in the national health service. General practitioners (GPs) must be on the GP register.
	NHS trusts who recruit staff from abroad should carry out the necessary pre-appointment checks in accordance with NHS Employers safer recruitment guidance.
	These checks should include :
	verification of identity;
	qualifications;
	registration;
	Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks;
	alert letters;
	Protection of Children Act (PoCA) check;
	references; and
	occupational health checks
	 Nurses:
	The NMCs new standard for applicants trained outside the European Union (EU) was launched in September 2005. From 1 September 2006 the only route to registration with the NMC will be through the "Overseas Nurses Programme" (ONP).
	All applicants who apply for nurse registration and who meet NMC minimum requirements will be required to undertake all or part of the ONP. The ONP sets out common entry standards, a compulsory 20-day period of protected learning for all nurses trained outside the EEA and, where appropriate, a period of supervised practice. Every applicant will have to pass the specified IELTS before they can apply to go onto the ONP.
	From 1 February 2007 all applicants to the nurses or midwives parts of the register, who trained outside the EU, must complete and provide evidence of the British Council IELTS before submitting their application to the NMC.

Health Professions: Training

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Modernising Medical Careers and Medical Training Application Service process has been formally quality assured; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The Medical Training Application Service (MTAS) processes have been developed following extensive consultation which included both paper based and workshop based reviews within a formal project quality management framework. The MTAS information technology system is provided by an ISO9000 accredited supplier and has been reviewed and found fit to be for purpose.
	The Modernising Medical Careers programmes itself has been subject to scrutiny by the Office of Government Commerce Gateway Review process in both 2005 and 2006.

Health Professions: Training

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to encourage more people to train as  (a) doctors and  (b) nurses.

Rosie Winterton: In order to encourage applicants to medicine, nursing and other healthcare training, the Department established the NHS Careers service in 1999. NHS Careers provides comprehensive information to the public about careers in healthcare. It promotes the national health service as an employer and attracts potential employees to the NHS. NHS Careers provides a 24-hour helpline (0845 60 60 655), website (www.nhscareers.nhs.uk), literature and supporting services for the public, NHS employers, schools, colleges and careers advisers. The service is now operated by NHS Employers.
	In addition, the Department provides non-repayable NHS bursaries for nurses and pays the tuition fees in full for the majority of NHS professional students undertaking programmes leading to professional registration. A means-tested bursary is available to medical students for the latter years of their undergraduate training.

Medicine

James McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she plans to provide all medical students with free copies of each edition of the British National Formulary in  (a) 2008,  (b) 2009 and  (c) 2010.

Rosie Winterton: There is no allocation to fund the provision of free copies of the British National Formulary to medical students in England from 2007-08 onwards.

Members: Correspondence

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when her Department will respond to the letter of 14 March from the hon. Member for Billericay on the planned Independent Sector Treatment Centre for Basildon.

Andy Burnham: I regret the hon. Gentleman's letter was not received by the Department. A copy has now been obtained and a reply will be sent shortly.

Milton Keynes Hospital: ICT

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to ensure that the Care Records Service computer system at Milton Keynes hospital is fit for purpose; and when this work will be complete.

Caroline Flint: Urgent and priority action is being taken to manage resolution of the operational difficulties which have been experienced with the new acute patient administration system (PAS) at Milton Keynes general hospital national health service trust since it went live on 24 February. This is being implemented by a joint Fujitsu and Cerner technical specialist team on behalf of the local service provider and the main subcontractor respectively. The team is in attendance daily at the trust, supervised by a senior Fujitsu management presence on site full time to lead the resolution process. Progress in tackling and overcoming the problems which have arisen, the majority of which have already been resolved, is being monitored daily.
	In addition, the Department's NHS Connecting for Health agency's senior deployment manager for the south of England is for the time being stationed permanently on site to ensure the work of the Fujitsu/Cerner team is completed to the satisfaction of the trust, and that it is managed through to resolution.
	Work that is now in hand is likely to result in effective operation of the PAS system within the next two to three weeks.

NHS Derriford Hospital

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many non-clinicians employed by NHS Derriford hospital are paid in excess of £80,000 per annum.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not hold this information as decisions on the amount of salary that national health service staff receive are made by the local NHS organisations which employ them.

NHS: Ancillary Staff

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which patient and public interest groups responded to her Department's review of the regulation of non-medical healthcare professions.

Rosie Winterton: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for North-West Leicestershire (David Taylor) on 5 March 2007,  Official Report, column 1686W.

NHS: Equal Opportunities

Michael Jabez Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the  (a) gender,  (b) age and  (c) ethnicity is of (i) chairmen and (ii) non-executive directors appointed during the last 12 months to NHS trusts in (A) England and (B) South East Coast Strategic Health Authority.

Rosie Winterton: Information about the gender, age and ethnicity of chairs and non-executive directors of national health service trusts and strategic health authorities in England, is held by the Appointments Commission. I have asked Sir William Wells, Chair of the Commission, to respond to the query directly.

NHS: Tolls

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what cost was incurred by all London hospital NHS trusts in reimbursing staff for the London congestion charge in the last financial year.

Rosie Winterton: This information is not collected by the Department. However, a national health service reimbursement scheme run by Transport for London (TfL) ensures that the NHS is not financially disadvantaged by the congestion charge scheme. Staff on NHS duties are reimbursed by the relevant NHS organisation which is then reimbursed by TfL.
	In the last financial year, TfL paid £166,740 to reimburse NHS organisations in London for staff journeys made while engaged in the following activities: transporting bulky, heavy or fragile equipment or supplies; transporting patients' notes or other clinically confidential material; transporting controlled drugs; transporting clinical waste, radioactive materials, contaminated sharps or non-medical poisons; transporting prescription only medicines or waste medicinal products; transporting clinical specimens, body fluids, tissues or organs; or on call—and providing services that are required in consequence of an emergency or other extraordinary circumstance.

Non-medical Vacancies

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how often the non-medical vacancy rate is surveyed; and when the next such survey will be published;
	(2)  how many vacancies there are for each non-medical profession in  (a) England and  (b) each strategic health authority; and what vacancy rate this represents in each case.

Rosie Winterton: The vacancy survey is carried out as at 31 March each year by The Information Centre and defines a vacancy as one which has lasted three months or more and which the employer is actively trying to fill. The next survey will be carried out at the end of March 2007 and the results will be published in July 2007.
	The results of the 2006 vacancy survey showing the number of vacancies and vacancy rates in the non-medical professions, nationally and by each strategic health authority have been placed in the Library.

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Trust: Midwives

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) full-time midwives and  (b) midwife assistants were employed by Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS trust as at 31 September in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is set out in the following table.
	
		
			  NHS hospital and community health services: qualified midwifery staff and support staff in the maternity services area of work in the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole national health service trust as at 30 September each specified year 
			  Full-time equivalent 
			   2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 Total specified staff 90 159 150 211 205 
			 Qualified midwives 65 122 109 151 142 
			 Nursing assistants/auxiliaries 11 11 10 17 15 
			 Health care assistants 14 26 30 40 44 
			 Support workers 0 0 0 3 3 
			  Note: Full-time equivalent figures are rounded to the nearest whole number.  Source: The Information Centre for health and social care non-medical work force census.

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Trust: Midwives

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacancies for midwife positions there were in each of the last three years for  (a) Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Trust and  (b) the NHS.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  The Information Centre for Health and Social Care Vacancies Survey NHS three month vacancies for qualified midwives each specified year. Three month vacancy rates, numbers and staff in post 
			   March 2003  September 2002  March 2004  September 2003 
			   Three month vacancy rate ( % )  Three month vacancy number  Staff in post (whole-time equivalent)  Staff in post (headcount)  Three month vacancy rate ( % )  Three month vacancy number  Staff in post (whole-time equivalent)  Staff in post (headcount) 
			 England 3.1 572 18,119 23,249 3.3 619 18,444 23,941 
			  of which: 
			 Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Trust 0.0 (1)— 122 149 0.0 (1)— 109 133 
		
	
	
		
			   March 2005  September 2004  March 2006  September 2005 
			   Three month vacancy rate ( % )  Three month vacancy number  Staff in post (whole-time equivalent)  Staff in post (headcount)  Three month vacancy rate ( % )  Three month vacancy number  Staff in post (whole-time equivalent)  Staff in post (headcount) 
			 England 1.8 348 18,854 24,844 1.0 185 18,949 24,808 
			  of which: 
			 Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Trust — — (1)— (1)— 0.0 0 142 179 
			 (1 )Zero  Three month vacancy notes: 1 Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Trust did not supply a valid return for the 2005 vacancies survey. Vacancy data for this trust for this year are not available. 2. Three month vacancy information is as at 31 March each specified year. 3. Three month vacancies are vacancies which trusts are actively trying to fill, which had lasted for three months or more (full-time equivalents). 4. Three month vacancy rates are three month vacancies expressed as a percentage of three month vacancies plus staff in post. 5. Three month vacancy rates are calculated using staff in post from the Non-Medical Workforce Census 6. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place. 7. Vacancy and staff in post numbers are rounded to the nearest whole number. 8. Calculating the vacancy rates using the above data may not equal the actual vacancy rates. 9. Due to rounding, totals may not equal the sum of component parts.  Sources: The Information Centre for Health and Social Care Vacancies Survey 31 March each specified year. The Information Centre for Health and Social Care Non-Medical Workforce Census 30 September each specified year.

Patients: Barnet

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients in Barnet received  (a) in-patient and  (b) out-patient treatment in (i) 1996-97, (ii) 1997-98 and (iii) 2005-06; how many have received each type of treatment in 2006-07; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The information requested is shown in the following tables.
	Since 1998-99, in-patient data have been collected on first finished consultant episodes (FFCEs). This is not directly comparable with the data collected before 1998-99, which were on the more widely defined finished consultant episodes (FCEs).
	Enfield Primary Care Trust run a specialist clinical assessment service, which triages outpatient referrals and is redirecting a significant proportion to alternative services in primary care.
	
		
			  In - patients — elective and non-elective general and acute activity 
			   Definition  Finished consultant episodes in Barnet 
			 1996-97 FCEs 83,276 
			 1997-98 FCEs 73,005 
			 2005-06 FFCEs 72,048 
			 Part-year April 2006 to January 2007 FFCEs 64,345 
		
	
	
		
			  Out-patients—total out-patient attendances—all specialties 
			   Finished consultant episodes in Barnet 
			 1996-97 353,979 
			 1997-98 315,553 
			 2005-06 278,641 
			 Part-year April 2006 to January 2007 204,533 
			  Notes:  The 1996-97 and 1997-98 figures are for Chase Farm Hospitals Trust and Wellhouse National Health Service Trust combined. The 2005-06 and 2006-07 figures are for Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust, formed in April 1999 from the merger of the other two.  Source:  Department of Health Monthly Monitoring and KH09/QMOP/QM08 returns

School Nurses

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many school nurses are employed by each primary care trust; and how many carry out vision screening of  (a) primary school children and  (b) secondary school children.

Rosie Winterton: The information on school nurses employed by primary care trust (PCT) has been placed in the Library.
	Although 100 PCTs do not employ any school nurses, this does not necessarily mean that there are no school nurses working in that area. The data taken from the Information Centre workforce census record who employs school nurses rather than where they actually work. For example, some of the 41 school nurses who were employed by the former Leeds East PCT worked within other PCT boundaries in Leeds where none were employed.
	Information is not collected centrally on how many of these carry out vision screening.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the Government has spent on the  (a) treatment and  (b) prevention of sexually transmitted diseases in the last 12 months; and how much will be spent over the next five years.

Andy Burnham: Sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment is funded through general allocations to primary care trusts (PCTs) and is not separately identified. In addition, PCTs received funding for implementing the targets in the White Paper "Choosing Health: making healthy choices easier", a copy of which is available in the Library. PCT revenue allocations separately identify funding to support the implementation of "Choosing Health". It is for PCTs to determine how to use the funding allocated to them to commission services to meet the healthcare needs of their local populations.
	Funding for prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STI) is focused on the "Condom Essential Wear" campaign, which targets some of the hardest to reach young people who are at risk of contracting an STI. £6 million funding was provided for the campaign in 2006-07 and £4 million for the financial year 2007-08. It is too early to say what the funding levels will be beyond this.
	In addition to the funding for the "Condom Essential Wear" campaign, the Department has also funded/agreed to fund the following:
	£4 million to fund the two Department for Education and Skills' campaigns aimed at reducing teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, 'R U Thinking and Want Respect? Use a Condom' in 2006-07 to 2007-08;
	£2.2 million to fund the work of the fpa (formerly Family Planning Association) in 2006-07 to 2007-08; and
	£5.4 million to fund work campaigning to prevent the spread of HIV conducted by the Terrence Higgins Trust and the African HIV Policy Network in 2006-07 to 2007-08.

Speech Therapy

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the employment prospects in NHS trusts for newly-graduated speech and language therapists; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: It is the responsibility of primary care trusts and strategic health authorities (SHAs) to analyse their local situation, develop plans and take action to recruit the appropriate staff required to deliver high quality speech and language services.
	SHAs are working proactively with employers to support graduate opportunities. NHS Employers published guidance recently to support local national health service organisations, to help them maximise employment opportunities and to ensure the health and social care services do not lose the skills of newly qualified graduates.
	On 7 February, NHS Employers hosted a summit which brought together representatives from SHAs, trade unions, the independent healthcare sector, social care, the higher education sector and Job Centre Plus. The outcome of the day was a jointly agreed action plan to help newly qualified graduates find jobs. The action plan will be taken forward by local partnerships working together to develop the best solutions for their area.

Surgery: Waiting Lists

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations were cancelled within three months of the date of the operation being given to the patient in the last 12 months.

Andy Burnham: The data collected cover cancellations for non-clinical reasons on the day the patient is due to arrive or after arrival in hospital, and for non-clinical reasons on the day of surgery. There were 54,682 such cancellations in the last 12 months (taken from Department of Health dataset QMCO).
	Under the 18-week target, maximum waits of 18 weeks from referral to treatment will include any periods of delay caused by cancellations.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Cross Border Co-operation: EC Countries

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his Department's policy is on the proposed transposition of the Treaty of Prüm into EU law; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ryan: The current German presidency of the EU has put forward a draft Council Decision on the stepping up of cross-border co-operation, particularly in combating terrorism and cross-border crime. This draft Council Decision aims to incorporate into EU law some of the elements of the Prüm Convention. The Government are broadly supportive of the draft Council Decision because it provides the potential to improve between EU member states the exchange of DNA, fingerprint and vehicle registration data, which will help British police forces prevent, prosecute and investigate serious crime and make it harder for criminals to escape justice.
	The draft Council Decision has been submitted to Parliament for scrutiny. In addition to the written evidence provided to Parliamentary Scrutiny Committees by the Home Office I also gave oral evidence to the Lords European Committee on 7 March.

Roadside Breathtesting

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in approving evidential roadside breathtesting devices.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 18 April 2007
	We are currently finalising a type approval guide for evidential roadside breathtesting devices. Once the guide is available it will be for manufacturers to prepare devices in accordance with the guide and submit them for approval. We hope this will happen later this year.

Roadside Breathtesting

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the first evidential roadside breathtesting device to be used by a constabulary.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 18 April 2007
	We hope that manufacturers will be able to submit devices for approval later this year. The necessarily detailed tests for approval might then take around nine months. Once a device or devices are approved, it will be for manufacturers to market and police forces to purchase as they consider appropriate.

Roadside Breathtesting

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the likely impact on roads policing of the use of evidential roadside breathtesting devices.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 18 April 2007
	At present only screening tests can be conducted at the roadside; a person must be taken to a police station for an evidential test. Evidential testing at the roadside will save time and enable more enforcement. It will also catch those who fall below the drink-drive limit in the time taken to get to an evidential test.

Emergency Calls: Standards

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in respect of how many 999 calls the target response time was missed in 2006.

Tony McNulty: Incidents reported to the police on 999 are graded by priority in accordance with the Police National Call Handling Standards and target response times are set accordingly by individual police forces appropriate to their geographic and population profile.
	The data in respect of how many incidents reported to 999 were responded to by individual police forces against their respective target times in 2006 is not compiled centrally by the Home Office.

Identity Cards

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether biometric data of children aged 11 to 16 years captured for biometric passports will be transferred to the new Identity Cards database.

Joan Ryan: It is intended that British citizens aged 16 and over will become registered on the National Identity Register and receive an identity card alongside an application for an adult passport.
	It is only once such an application is received that biometrics will be recorded on the National Identity Register as part of the application process for a passport and identity card package.

Identity Cards

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 1 February 2007,  Official Report, column 519W, on identity cards, how penalties under the Identity Cards Act 2006 will be communicated to those who incur them.

Joan Ryan: A formal notice will be issued under section 31 of the Identity Cards Act to inform a person of a decision to impose a civil financial penalty for failure to comply with a specific requirement, such as a failure to notify a change of circumstances (under section 10) or to surrender an ID card when required (under section 11). The notice will set out the reasons for deciding to impose the penalty and the amount of the penalty as well as explaining the steps that the person may take to object to it. In addition, prior to the issue of a penalty notice, a warning letter will normally be issued to an individual to alert them that they appear to be liable to a civil penalty, explaining why this is the case and how they can meet the particular requirement in question and thus avoid the need for any penalty to be imposed.

Offensive Weapons

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of people were convicted of an offence of the  (a) manufacture,  (b) importation,  (c) sale and  (d) hire of (i) flick knives and (ii) gravity knives under section 1 of the Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act 1959 in each of the last five years, broken down by age group.

Tony McNulty: Data from the court proceedings database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform on the number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for offences in connection with dangerous weapons under the Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act 1959 Section 1 in England and Wales from 2001-05, by age group, are provided in the following table.
	Information on the individual circumstances of offences is not held centrally and therefore information on the offensive weapons involved in these cases is not available.
	
		
			  Number of persons proceeded against at magistrates' courts, found guilty at all courts and convictions as a proportion of prosecutions for 'offences in connection with dangerous weapons' under the Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act 1959, by age group ,  England and Wales—2001-05( 1, 2) 
			  Year/Age group  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Convictions as a proportion of prosecutions (percentage) 
			  2001
			 10-17 2 1 50 
			 18-20 1 1 100 
			 21 and over 8 3 38 
			 Total 11 5 45 
			 
			  2002
			 10-17 — — — 
			 18-20 1 2 200 
			 21 and over 4 2 50 
			 Total 5 4 80 
			 
			  2003
			 10-17 — — — 
			 18-20 1 — 0 
			 21 and over 7 4 57 
			 Total 8 4 50 
			 
			  2004
			 10-17 1 1 100 
			 18-20 15 9 60 
			 21 and over 10 10 63 
			 
			  2005
			 10-17 — — — 
			 18-20 1 1 100 
			 21 and over 11 7 64 
			 Total 12 8 67 
			 (1) These data are provided on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by police forces and courts. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Note: Prosecutions are counted by date of final outcome in the magistrates court. Guilty figures are counted by the date of sentence in both magistrates courts and Crown courts. Hence guilty figures can exceed prosecutions where they reflect cases of people being found guilty in the magistrates court and committed for sentence to the Crown court, the two events being counted in two different years.

Offensive Weapons

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were convicted of selling knives to under-18s in 2006.

Tony McNulty: Information on defendants convicted of offences in 2006 will be available in the autumn.
	Data from the Court Proceedings Database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform show that 19 persons were found guilty at all courts for the offence of selling to a person under age of 16 years a knife; knife blade, razor blade, axe and any other article which has a blade under section 141A(i) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 which was inserted by section 6 of Offensive Weapons Act 1996 in 2005 in England and Wales.

Offensive Weapons

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many  (a) arrests were made and  (b) convictions were secured under section 1 of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many  (a) arrests were made and  (b) convictions were secured under section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 in each of the last five years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Information on arrests for recorded crime offences under s139 and 139A of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (as amended by s4(1) of the Offensive Weapons Act 1996) and s1 of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 (as amended by s2(1) of the Offensive Weapons Act 1996) are not separately identifiable within the arrests collection held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform. The collection is based on persons arrested for recorded crime (notifiable offences) by main offence group (i.e. violence against the person, robbery, burglary, criminal damage etc) only.
	Information on the number of persons found guilty for the offences requested in England and Wales for the years 2001-05 is provided in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of persons found guilty at all courts for certain offences( 1, 2, 3) , England and Wales 2001-05 
			 Age group 
			  Offence description  Statute  Year  Aged 10 to 11  Aged 12 to 14  Aged 15 to 17  Aged 18 and over  All ages 
			 811 Possession of offensive weapons without lawful authority or reasonable excuse Prevention of Crime Act 1953, Sec 1(1) as amended by Offensive Weapons Act 1996, Sec 2(1) 2001 4 136 976 3,765 4,881 
			   2002 5 113 953 4,398 5,469 
			   2003 4 135 832 4,432 5,403 
			   2004 — 134 1,047 4,576 5,757 
			   2005 4 124 999 4,601 5,728 
			 
			 826 Having an article with blade or point in public place Criminal Justice Act 1988, Sec 139 as amended by Offensive Weapons Act 1996, Sec3 2001 5 128 806 3,360 4,299 
			   2002 2 134 812 4,333 5,281 
			   2003 8 147 755 4,398 5,308 
			   2004 5 170 817 4,792 5,784 
			   2005 7 186 888 4,880 5,961 
			 
			 827 Having an article with blade or point on school premises (2) Criminal Justice Act 1988, Sec 139A(1)(5)(a) as amended by Offensive Weapons Act 1996, Sec 4(1) 2001 — 2 6 15 23 
			   2002 — 6 10 3 19 
			   2003 2 6 7 14 29 
			   2004 — 11 16 10 37 
			   2005 1 14 17 12 44 
			 (1 )These data are on the principal offence basis. (2 )Data for "having an article with blade or point on school premises" exclude convictions for West Mercia PFA, until clarification of these cases is obtained. (3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by police forces and courts. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Sexual Offences: Hartlepool

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in Hartlepool broke the terms of their sentence and order relating to child sex offences in each of the last five years; and what action was taken against those people who breached their order and condition.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The specific information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained locally only at disproportionate cost.

War Crimes

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answers of 21 March 2007,  Official Report, column 975W, on war crimes, for what reasons the issue of arrest warrants in each of the cases listed necessitated a review of the legal and practical issues raised by the issue of arrest warrants in international cases.

Joan Ryan: It is appropriate to consider whether in principle it is right that persons may be arrested and detained for international offences such as war crimes, genocide and torture on application by a private individual to a court before there is an opportunity for the Attorney-General to reach a view on the merits of the case and decide whether a prosecution should proceed.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Bicycles: Parking

Norman Baker: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how many bicycle parking spaces are available on the House of Commons estate for  (a) hon. Members,  (b) staff and  (c) visitors.

Nick Harvey: There are currently 143 bicycle parking spaces on the House of Commons estate. They are situated as follows:
	Colonnade: 69, (of these seven are reserved for Members only and 14 are reserved for members of the House of Commons Cycling Club).
	Star Chamber Court: 48.
	Norman Shaw North Inner Courtyard: 32.
	Canon Row Courtyard: 12 (to be in place after Easter 2007).
	The provision of parking on the estate for non-passholders is not currently compatible with maintaining a secure perimeter. Further discussions have taken place regarding the provision of additional bicycle parking outside in the vicinity of the estate. I understand that six additional bicycle parking spaces have been agreed on Victoria Embankment near Portcullis House and that Transport for London, the highway authority, has been requested to install them as soon as possible. Other potential sites for on-street cycle parking around Parliament are being investigated by Westminster City Council and other relevant authorities.

Palace of Westminster: Temperature

Iain Wright: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what the temperature setting is for the Palace of Westminster; and if he will arrange for the temperature to be reduced.

Nick Harvey: The normal temperature setting for the Palace of Westminster is 21(°) C, in line with guidance from the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) guide for office spaces, but this can be adjusted according to demand from the occupants. There are many heating zones in the Palace of Westminster which have their temperatures controlled independently, therefore temperature settings may differ from area to area. The existing controls are currently being replaced with more modern ones which should enable better control and energy efficiency to be achieved.

Recycling

Norman Baker: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission if he will estimate what percentage of packaging and delivery containers of goods purchased by the Refreshment Department is  (a) made from biodegradable or recycled materials and  (b) recycled.

Nick Harvey: The information requested is as follows.
	 (a) The Refreshment Department does not collect any information that enables it to estimate the percentage of packaging and delivery containers made from biodegradable or recycled materials. However, returnable crates, containers or trolleys are used for most meat, dairy, and sandwich deliveries. Draught beer kegs and a small percentage of other drinks delivery containers are also returned to the supplier.
	 (b) The monthly total quantity of waste collected for incineration in a power plant is monitored for the entire parliamentary estate, as is the quantity of each material collected for recycling. The waste materials currently being recycled include cardboard, paper, glass, wood and metal, with 41 per cent. of waste currently being recycled. However, at present this information is not broken down by building or by Department. The Refreshment Department is actively working with Works and Estates to increase the amount of cardboard and other waste sent for recycling and a proposal to run an environment champions programme on the estate is being considered. This would require the waste arising to be monitored for each building but it is uncertain whether it would be possible to monitor the waste being collected from the Refreshment Department alone.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

China

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which  (a) hon. Members,  (b) Ministers and  (c) officials participated in the recent parliamentary delegation to China organised by his Department; who arranged the visit; which organisations or individuals were consulted beforehand; whether the delegation was given permission by the Government of China to visit all areas of China; whether (i) the one child policy and (ii) coercive abortion was discussed; what the cost was to his Department of the visit; whether a report on the trip was produced; whether the United Nations Population Fund provided any (A) direct funding, (B) informal support and (C) personnel; what recent representations he has received on the visit; what assistance was provided by the British embassy in China; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: No parliamentary delegation has recently visited China to discuss family planning issues. Neither the DFID office in Beijing, the embassy or the local United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) office are aware of any such visit.

Developing Countries: Maternity Services

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the progress in meeting the fifth Millennium Development Goal, to improve maternal health.

Gareth Thomas: The millennium development goals (MDGs), including the fifth goal on improving maternal health, enables countries and international development partners, including DFID, to work together towards a common end. The United Nations produces an annual progress report "the Millennium Development Goals Report", outlining the progress made against each of the MDGs, including maternal health, at global and regional levels. At country level, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works with countries to track their progress against the MDGs.
	DFID supports these global assessment processes and does not try to replicate them. However, DFID does track the progress of UK development investments. For example, we produce an annual report on progress in implementing our maternal health strategy "Reducing maternal deaths: evidence and action". The second annual progress report is due to be published shortly and copies will be placed in the Library of the House. The report will provide details on what we have achieved, areas where we have made less progress and what more we need to do. The report covers both our efforts in supporting Government and non-government efforts to improve maternal health (MDG 5) in countries, as well as what we have done internationally and at the policy level.
	In addition at country level, a framework for annual assessment of performance is included in DFID's country assistance plans (CAP). These CAPs set out details of how DFID aims to contribute to the achievement of the MDGs.
	In 2006, the international community agreed a new target under the maternal health millennium development goal (MDG 5) for "Universal Access to Reproductive Health by 2015". This is in addition to the existing target under MDG 5 to "Reduce the maternal mortality ratio by three quarters between 1990 and 2015". The new target means that access to reproductive health information, services and supplies should be available to all who need it. And it means that Governments and the international community will be held accountable for providing them. We are proud that the UK fought hard for this target and has supported subsequent work to agree appropriate monitoring indicators. One of the new proposed indicators is 'unmet need for family planning' which is an important indicator because family planning is one of the most cost effective interventions we can make towards the achievement of not only the new reproductive health target, but to the achievement of all the MDGs.

Developing Countries: Renewable Energy

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to encourage the use of renewable energy in developing countries.

Gareth Thomas: DFID is committed to increasing access to reliable and affordable energy for reducing poverty and increasing economic growth in developing countries. Renewable energy has an increasingly important role to play in helping developing countries make progress towards the millennium development goals.
	We are also encouraging the World Bank and other development partners to give renewable energy greater attention as part of their efforts to improve access to energy. At Gleneagles in 2005 the G8 called on the World Bank and Regional Development Banks to create a new Clean Energy Investment Framework. They have now developed their plans and are beginning to demonstrate progress.
	The World Bank has scaled up its financial support for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. In August 2006, it announced a rise to $680 million in commitments in the year to June 2006, an increase of 48 per cent. compared to the previous year. This figure excludes large hydropower projects and covers solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and small (less than 10 MW) hydropower technologies.
	These figures exceed the commitment they made in 2004 to increase their renewable energy and energy efficiency investments by 20 per cent. per annum over the next five years. We very much welcome this increased investment by the World Bank on clean energy. We now think that the bank needs to set out a high level of ambition for funds flowing through the Clean Energy Investment Framework over the coming years. At the recent spring meetings of the World Bank the UK called on the bank to set a range of new investment and outcome targets, including a higher target for renewable energy.
	As announced in the 2007 Budget Statement, a new £800 million Environmental Transformation Fund will finance overseas development projects that deliver both poverty reduction and environmental benefits in developing countries, and help developing countries respond to climate change. This fund will support climate change adaptation, provide access to clean energy and help tackle unsustainable deforestation.
	DFID is funding international networks such as the Global Village Energy Partnership (GVEP) and the EU energy initiative (EUEI) to promote access to affordable energy services, drawing on the full menu of technology options, including renewable energy.
	DFID has supported the creation of a new €220 million EU energy facility, which will start funding projects this year. This fund aims to improve access to energy, especially in Africa, and encouraged viable renewable energy proposals.
	DFID is also increasing research funding for the energy sector to reflect the growing interest in clean energy for development. This year DFID launched a new five year, £3.75 million energy research programme on renewable energy and is currently scoping areas for further work.

Sudan: Armed Conflict

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his estimate is of the number of people who have returned to live in the South of Sudan following the end of conflict there.

Hilary Benn: The UN estimates that since the signing of the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA) in January 2005, around 1 million people have returned to their homes in the South. UNHCR predicts a further 100,000 refugees will return home in 2007, in addition to 500,000 internally displaced people. The majority of the refugees will come from Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya.
	DFID has channelled all its funding for the returns process through the UN-administered common humanitarian fund (CHF). Of the £68 million allocated so far by the CHF in 2007 (of which the DFID contribution makes up 60 per cent.), £6.6 million was given to support the returns process.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Accident and Emergency Departments

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures the Government plan to provide to improve the security of staff in casualty departments in Northern Ireland hospitals, with particular reference to the Downe hospital, Downpatrick.

Paul Goggins: My Department is fully committed to improving health and safety protection for all health and social care staff and has taken extensive measures to minimise risk in the workplace.
	Following consultation with staff in the Downe hospital the trust introduced additional security measures from March 2007. These include security patrols within accident and emergency unit from 9 pm until midnight on Monday to Thursday and every week-end from 12 midnight to 3 am. Security staff patrols operate within both the Downshire and Downe hospital sites.

Arts: Finance

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much funding he plans to provide for the arts in the Province in 2007-08; and how much funding was provided in each of the last five years.

Maria Eagle: Total funding provided for the arts in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years along with planned expenditure for 2007-08 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  £ 
			   2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08( 1) 
			 Dept of Culture, Arts & Leisure (Revenue) 8,696,672.08 11,647,937 11,883,088.23 11,518,346.80 11,140,200.10 12,200,000 
			 Dept of Culture, Arts & Leisure (Capital) 1,450,000 0 749,590 1,534,629.53 1,061,697.55 7,700,000 
			 Dept for Social Development 417,400 2,188,000 924,800 968,600 (2)1,863,400 785,200 
			 Dept for Social Development (Peace II)(3) 0 0 0 0 52,400 52,200 
			 Dept of Education 250,000 250,000 350,000 350,000 350,000 325,000 
			 Dept of Enterprise, Trade & Investment 124,465.05 53,484.76 60,045.63 52,341.73 14,015.54 0 
			 Office of the First Minister & Deputy First Minister 0 0 0 0 18,639.00 250,000 
			 Dept of Agriculture and Rural Development 0 15,099.14 97,788.22 36,757.56 47,937.89 0 
			 Total 10,938,537.13 14,154,520.90 14,065,312.08 14,460,675.62 14,548,290.08 21,312,400 
			 (1) Planned expenditure. (2) Provisional. (3) These figures relate to the calendar years 2006 and 2007. The Department for Social Development has also provided funding under Peace II for various other arts-based projects amounting to £565,600 for the period 2002 to date. This amount is not included in the table.

Bus Services: Carrickfergus

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average daily passenger numbers were for each bus route to and from Carrickfergus in each month over the last three years.

David Cairns: Data are not readily available by individual bus routes from Translink. The following tables set out the daily average passenger numbers based on monthly patronage figures for those travelling to (alighting) and from (boarding) Carrickfergus in each of the last two years. Figures have not been provided in respect of 2004-05 as I am informed by Translink that data held for that year are incomplete.
	
		
			  2005-06 
			   Boarding  Alighting  Monthly total  Daily average 
			 April 11,810 12,390 24,200 807 
			 May 11,564 12,527 24,091 777 
			 June 12,564 13,589 26,153 872 
			 July 12,299 12,798 25,097 810 
			 August 13,703 14,412 28,115 907 
			 September 12,529 14,301 26,830 894 
			 October 10,809 12,213 23,022 743 
			 November 9,482 10,877 20,359 679 
			 December 10,231 11,336 21,567 696 
			 January 8,965 10,468 19,433 627 
			 February 8,990 10,459 19,449 695 
			 March 9,412 11,105 20,517 662 
			 Total 132,358 146,475 278,833 764 
		
	
	
		
			  2006-07 
			   Boarding  Alighting  Monthly total  Daily average 
			 April 8,838 9,885 18,723 624 
			 May 9,560 10,028 19,588 632 
			 June 9,977 10,595 20,572 686 
			 July 9,127 9,560 18,687 603 
			 August 10,563 10,508 21,071 680 
			 September 9,480 10,226 19,706 657 
			 October 9,817 10,115 19,932 643 
			 November 9,819 9,936 19,755 658 
			 December 9,392 9,262 18,654 602 
			 January 8,561 9,075 17,636 569 
			 February 8,035 8,706 16,741 598 
			 March 7,322 7,918 15,240 492 
			 Total 110,491 115,814 226,305 620

Hospitals: Waiting Lists

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the  (a) target and  (b) actual waiting times for (i) surgery, (ii) first outpatient appointment and (iii) a diagnostic test at Northern Ireland hospitals were at the end of March (A) 2007 and (B) 2006.

Paul Goggins: Ministers set a target that, by 31 March 2006, no patient should be waiting more than 12 months for in-patient or day case treatment. No targets were set at that stage regarding waiting times for a first out-patient appointment with a consultant or a diagnostic test.
	Targets were also set that, by 31 March 2007, no patient should be waiting more than six months for either a first out-patient appointment with a consultant or for in-patient or day case treatment. There were no targets set for diagnostic waiting times at 31 March 2007.
	I have set new targets that, by the end of March 2008, no patient will wait more than 13 weeks for a first out-patient appointment, no more than 13 weeks for any diagnostic test, and no more than 21 weeks for surgery.
	The number of patients waiting, and the length of time they were waiting in months, for (i) in-patient or day case treatment and (ii) a first out-patient appointment with a consultant, at 31 March 2006, is contained in the following table.
	
		
			  Timebands (months)  In - patients  Out- patients 
			 0-2 24,233 72,355 
			 3-5 10,635 35,763 
			 6-8 4,717 22,609 
			 9-11 1,848 14,833 
			 12-14 2 8,736 
			 15-17 l 6,518 
			 18-20 2 5,576 
			 21-23 4 3,616 
			 24+ 6 12,044 
			 Total 41,448 182,050 
			  Source:  Departmental returns CH1 and CH3 
		
	
	Official statistics relating to the number of patients waiting at 31 March 2007, for either a first out-patient appointment with a consultant or for in-patient or day case treatment, will not be published until June. On the basis of provisional information available to the Department at the beginning of April, with the exception of a very small number of breaches reflecting local administrative errors, no patients were waiting more than six months for in-patient or day case treatment, or for a first out-patient appointment with a consultant.
	Official figures for the number of patients waiting for a diagnostic test in Northern Ireland are not available for either March 2006 or March 2007.

Portadown School

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he plans to publish the economic appraisal of the proposed capital building project at Portadown Integrated Primary School; and what the reasons are for the time taken to conclude this study and make it available.

Maria Eagle: The Department of Education is aware of the accommodation deficiencies at Portadown Integrated Primary School and an initial feasibility study was produced for the school which is a stage prior to the production of the economic appraisal. Following the Bain review new capital projects should in future be considered in the context of a more co-ordinated and consistent area-based planning approach and this will need to be reflected in the appraisal. The Department will be in contact with the school as the work develops though I cannot confirm at present when the appraisal will be completed.

Sewers

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  if he will list the maintenance work carried out at Millisle Sewage Pumping in each of the past three years; and what the  (a) nature and  (b) duration was of the maintenance carried out on each occasion;
	(2)  what assessment has been carried out by his Department of the health and safety implications of raw sewage leaks from Millisle's sewerage system;
	(3)  on what occasions since January the screens at Millisle Sewage Pumping Station were checked; and what the outcome was of the review of the adequacy of the current screen checking arrangements;
	(4)  if he will bring forward the project to upgrade Millisle Sewage Pumping Station scheduled to start in 2011;
	(5)  when he expects the Drainage Area Studies for the North Down and Ards area to be completed; and what funding has been allocated to ensure the prompt implementation of its recommendations.

David Cairns: The Water and Sewerage Services (NI) Order 2006 transferred responsibility for the delivery of water and sewerage services from the Department's Water Service Agency to a statutory water and sewerage undertaker. A Government-owned company, Northern Ireland Water (NIW) has been appointed as the undertaker and the issues raised are operational matters for it. I have asked the chief executive of NIW (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) to write to the hon. Lady in response to these questions.

South Eastern Education and Library Board: Public Appointments

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what significant decisions have been made by the four commissioners appointed to the South Eastern Education and Library Board since their appointment in 2006.

Maria Eagle: The commissioners have taken many significant decisions since their appointment in July 2006 including decisions related to financial allocations and budgets, school development proposals, youth centre provision, leasing proposals and transfer of land, and procurement contracts. All decisions that have been taken are minuted and published in the normal way in accordance with Standing Orders and details of the relevant minutes are available on the South Eastern Education and Library Board website: http:/www.seelb.org.uk

Theatres: Finance

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much public funding was granted to theatres in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; whether there are proposals to increase funding for such theatres in 2007-08; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Public funding granted to theatres in Northern Ireland in the last five years is shown in the following table. Decisions on revenue funding to theatres for 2007-08 have already been made by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the total amount awarded is the same as the 2006-07 figure. The level of funding available to theatres in future years will depend on the outcome of the 2007 comprehensive spending review.
	
		
			  £ 
			   2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Arts Council Treasury Funding 1,214,100 1,271,100 1,312,000 1,461,600 1,313,879 
			 Arts Council Lottery 178,500 271,180 133,350 28,127 192,497 
			 Arts Council Capital Grant 104,925 2,251,716 51,161 2,585,575 174,750 
			 Dept Culture, Arts and Leisure Capital 1,450,000 0 0 1,484,630 1,015,370 
			 Total 2,947,525 3,793,996 1,496,511 5,559,932 2,696,496

SCOTLAND

Departments: Official Hospitality

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures are in place to limit the amount of money spent on alcohol for hospitality purposes by his Department.

David Cairns: Scotland Office expenditure on hospitality, like all other departmental expenditure, is conducted in accordance with the principles of "Government Accounting" and the Treasury handbook on "Regularity and Propriety".

Departments: Pressure Groups

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the meetings between Ministers from his Department and outside interest groups which took place between 1 January and 31 March.

David Cairns: Ministers and civil servants meet a large number of people and groups in the course of their official duties.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Bankruptcy

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many businesses went bankrupt in each month of the last 10 years in  (a) the United Kingdom,  (b) each region and  (c) each London borough.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Business (self-employed, or trader) bankruptcies are only readily available on a quarterly basis and for England and Wales (EandW). These statistics are provided in the following table. The provision of corresponding monthly data would incur disproportionate cost. A breakdown of Scottish sequestrations and Northern Ireland bankruptcies by trading status of the individual is not available. For EandW, the provision of any sub-national level business bankruptcy figures would incur disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Table1: Total self-employed bankruptcies in England and Wales by calendar quarter, 1997 to 2006 
			   Quarter 1  Quarter 2  Quarter 3  Quarter 4  Annual total 
			 1997 2,850 3,097 2,804 2,518 11,269 
			 1998 2,637 2521 2,672 2590 10,420 
			 1999 2,996 2721 2,614 2392 10,723 
			 2000 2,571 2519 2,518 2344 9,952 
			 2001 2,666 2609 2,414 2150 9,839 
			 2002 2,261 2235 2,244 2114 8,854 
			 2003 2,468 2267 2,296 2108 9,139 
			 2004 2,437 2455 2,300 2372 9,564 
			 2005 2,446 2835 2,850 2708 10,839 
			 2006 3,150 2898 2,990 - (2)9,038 to Sept 
			 (1) Not yet available: statistics on self-employed bankruptcies are only available one quarter in arrears. (2) To September. 
		
	
	To complement the personal insolvency (bankruptcy) statistics, provided in table 1, table 2 records figures for company liquidations:
	
		
			  Table 2:  Total company liquidations by quarter in England and Wales, 1997 to 2006 
			   Quarter 1  Quarter 2  Quarter 3  Quarter 4  Yearly total 
			 1997 3,017 3,183 3,195 3,214 12,609 
			 1998 3,123 3,291 3,373 3,416 13,203 
			 1999 3,741 3,653 3,428 3,458 14,280 
			 2000 3,522 3,431 3,775 3,589 14,317 
			 2001 3,831 3,744 3,699 3,698 14,972 
			 2002 3,992 4,117 3,899 4,298 16,306 
			 2003 3,672 3,795 3,380 3,337 14,184 
			 2004 3,140 3,130 2,959 2,963 12,192 
			 2005 2,940 3,375 3,380 3,198 12,893 
			 2006 3,452 3,252 3,239 3,194 13,137

Broadband

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what service obligations are placed on broadband providers to extend their coverage nationally; how such obligations are regulated; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The Universal Service Obligation (USO) in the UK covers voice and data telephone services up to 56kbps, sufficient for dial-up internet, but not for broadband.
	The UK telecommunications market is regulated by Ofcom. Ofcom has designated BT and Kingston Communications (in the Hull area) as the Universal Service Providers in the UK. Ofcom report that 50 per cent. of UK adults now have broadband at home—up from 39 per cent. a year ago and a seven-fold increase over the last four years. More than 13 million UK homes and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are now connected to broadband, compared with 9.9 million a year earlier and 330,000 in 2001.
	The European Commission is reviewing the scope and future of universal service in the EU later this year and we expect a Green Paper to be published in the autumn. The DTI will consult widely in preparing a response to the Green Paper.

Business Support

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the accessibility of Government support for small business.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 22 January 2007
	The latest Annual Small Business Survey found that 51 per cent. of small businesses with employees surveyed would like support from Government but experience difficulties in determining what is available.
	The DTI-led Business Support Simplification Programme is driving work across all levels of Government to tackle the confusion caused by the number of business support services available. By 2010 the Programme will deliver Government support for business which is easier to access, which is targeted where it will have greatest impact and which is delivered to get best value for money.

Corporate Social Responsibility Academy

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  how many times the Corporate Social Responsibility Academy's management committee has met in each calendar year since its inception;
	(2)  what the cost of the Corporate Social Responsibility Academy to the public purse was in each financial year since its inception; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  how many staff are employed by the Corporate Social Responsibility Academy;
	(4)  if he will list the events which the Corporate Social Responsibility Academy has held in each calendar year since its inception.

Margaret Hodge: The CSR Academy was a web-based service provided as a DTI business support scheme and did not employ staff. It was run by a project director who worked with five organisations appointed as Academy programme partners:
	Business in the Community;
	AccountAbility;
	Association of Business Schools;
	Chartered Institute of Personnel Development; and
	British Chambers of Commerce.
	The project director completed his contract in August 2006 and the Academy transferred to Business in the Community in March 2007.
	The Academy's programme partners were contracted to provide a number of services which included organising events on behalf of the Academy as follows:
	Year l—24 events
	Year 2—19 events
	The Academy Project Director also spoke at numerous other CSR related events.
	The DTI provided funding for the CSR Academy as follows:
	
		
			   £ 
			 2004-05 200,000 
			 2005-06 250,000 
			 2006-07 100,000 
		
	
	The CSR Academy did not have a management committee. The project director reported to DTI and the Academy chairman through quarterly reports and met with DTI on a regular basis.

Low Carbon Buildings Programme

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many private businesses in the UK  (a) applied for and  (b) were awarded grants under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme in (i) 2006, (ii) January 2007 and (iii) February 2007.

Malcolm Wicks: The following table shows the number of applications received from private businesses under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme in 2006, January 2007 and February 2007.
	
		
			  Period  Number of applications received  Number awarded grants 
			 April-December 2006 57 0 
			 January 2007 37 0 
			 February 2007 0 0 
		
	
	Private businesses can only apply to the Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 1 Stream 2. This stream is a competitive process, with a number of application call deadlines planned through to March 2008. We recently completed our assessment of applications received in the first call, however no grant awards have been made as yet.
	Stream 1 of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 1 is solely for household applicants, and therefore is not applicable for a private business applicant.

Low Carbon Buildings Programme

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the value of grants paid to householders under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme was in each month since May 2006.

Malcolm Wicks: The following table shows the value of grant paid to householders under the Low Carbon Buildings programme Phase 1 since May 2006.
	
		
			  Year/Month  Value (£) 
			  2006  
			 May 0 
			 June 1,600 
			 July 4,000 
			 August 82,205.44 
			 September 81,379.50 
			 October 243,359.07 
			 November 298,575.68 
			 December 302,001.19 
			  2007  
			 January 390,058.92 
			 February 551,966.42

Ports: Great Yarmouth

Julian Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations his Department received, and from whom, in support of the prospective composite package of public funding which has subsequently been granted to East Port Great Yarmouth.

Margaret Hodge: The Department of Trade and Industry gave consent to EEDA to fund the project in March 2005, having considered the views of the Department for Transport the then Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (now Communities and Local Government), HM Treasury and the Government Office for the East of England.
	The Government Office for the East of England collated representations received in relation to the project. There were 151 letters of support: 17 from stakeholders, seven from local authorities (one of the letters also listed the names of 36 companies who supported the project), four from MPs and 123 from local businesses.

Ports: Great Yarmouth

Julian Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who sat on the awarding committee for the composite package of public funding which was granted to East Port Great Yarmouth.

Margaret Hodge: There was not a single awarding committee that jointly gave consent to the different strands of public funding proposed for the Great Yarmouth Outer Harbour project.
	The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) commissioned a detailed economic appraisal of the proposed Outer Harbour project. This confirmed a public sector funding requirement comprising funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Objective 2 programme for the East of England and from EEDA, alongside funding from Norfolk county council and Great Yarmouth borough council.
	The Department of Trade and Industry considered EEDA's application for consent to use its Development Agency funds to support the project as part of the proposed public funding package. The DTI gave its consent to EEDA in March 2005, having considered the views of the Department for Transport, the then Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (now Communities and Local Government), HM Treasury and the Government Office for the East of England.
	Allocation of the ERDF funds from the East of England Objective 2 programme was then approved by the regional ERDF programming committee, chaired by the Government Office in partnership with regional agencies including EEDA, the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA), the Learning and Skills Council, the Environment Agency, the Voluntary and Community Forum and the eligible local authorities, and by the European Commission in compliance with state aid and major project notification procedures.

Small Businesses

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 19 March 2007,  Official Report, column 637W, on small businesses, what estimate his Department has made of the number of people working in family businesses in the UK.

Alistair Darling: holding answer 16 April 2007
	It is not possible to provide precise estimates of the number of people working in family businesses in the UK from statistical data on the total business population.

Under-represented Groups

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme in reaching under-represented groups.

Margaret Hodge: The purpose of the Small Firms Loan Guarantee (SFLG) is to enable lending to any eligible small business that satisfies the accredited lender's commercial criteria for lending apart from being able to provide the security normally required. It is designed to be accessible to all qualifying small businesses, including those from under-represented groups.
	Among the accredited lenders there are two Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs), which focus on lending to businesses, in disadvantaged communities, with viable business propositions but which are unable to access some or all of the finance they require from mainstream sources.
	The Graham Review of SFLG recommended that the number and range of participating lenders be increased. That recommendation has been taken forward, with further lenders joining the scheme during 2007.

TRANSPORT

Aviation: Carbon Emissions

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of different abatement measures for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from the aviation sector.

Gillian Merron: As set out in the Air Transport White Paper (2003) and its progress report (2006), the Government believe that aviation's climate change impacts are best addressed through a Global Emissions Trading scheme. This approach is endorsed by the Stern Review on the economics of climate change which strongly supports carbon pricing to ensure that economic decisions fully reflect social and environmental costs. Until a truly global solution can be found, the inclusion of aviation in the existing EU Emissions Trading scheme represents the best multilateral option available.
	The UK Government have led the debate within Europe for aviation's inclusion in the EU ETS since the UK presidency of the EU in 2005. The UK welcomed the publication of the European Commission's proposal on 20 December 2006 to include aviation into the EU Emissions Trading scheme (EU ETS) and now looks to the German and Portuguese presidencies of 2007 to give this issue priority so prompt progress can be made with negotiations.
	Emissions trading and other economic instruments form part of an overall strategy which includes using operational measures and new technology to minimise the environmental impact of aviation.

Biofuels: Imports

Angela Watkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of domestic biofuel consumption is met by imports; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: Total sales of biofuels in the UK in 2006 were around 264 million litres, of which around two thirds were biodiesel and one third bioethanol. The Government do not hold precise data on the country of origin of these biofuels. Our understanding is that the great majority of the biodiesel sold in the UK in 2006 was produced domestically, but all of the bioethanol was imported.
	The total amount of UK-produced biofuel is set to increase significantly in future years as a result of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO). Once the RTFO comes into effect in April 2008, the Government will also have much better data on the provenance of all biofuels sold on the UK market. This is because in order to receive any credits under the RTFO suppliers of renewable transport fuels will be required to provide information, where possible, on, among other things, the country of origin of the feedstock used to produce their biofuels.

Bus Services: Accidents

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents involving passengers on bus services were reported in each of the last five years, broken down by  (a) constituency and  (b) service provider; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: Tables showing the number of reported personal injury road accidents involving bus/coaches by constituency in each of the last five years have been placed in the Library of the House. 2005 is latest year for which data are available. Many of these accidents include buses/coaches which had no passenger casualties. Additionally some of the buses/coaches may have had no passengers at all. The information requested broken down by service provider is not collected.

Bus Services: Subsidies

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what limits on minimum commercial return his Department has placed on local bus routes qualifying for subsidies; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: holding answer 18 April 2007
	Under the Transport Act 1985 local authorities have power to secure by means of subsidy contracts the provision of bus services which are necessary to meet the transport needs of their area and which would not be provided other than by subsidy. It is for individual local authorities to decide which bus services should be provided in their area under this power. It is also for them to decide the terms of contracts, and to which operators they should be awarded, after undertaking any necessary competitive tendering exercise. There are no specific limits relating to minimum commercial returns.
	In best practice guidance for local authorities published in 2005 we have emphasised the importance of authorities having clearly defined criteria when procuring subsidised services, to ensure they achieve best value for money. This would include the need to take account of the overall market for bus services in their area, including services being provided commercially. A copy of this guidance is on the Department's website.

Departments: Pressure Groups

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what meetings took place between Ministers in his Department and outside interest groups between 1 January and 31 March; and what the date was of each such meeting.

Gillian Merron: The information is as follows:
	
		
			  Date (week commencing)  Minister  External party 
			 8 January Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. Douglas Alexander) English Welsh and Scottish Railways 
			  Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Mr. Tom Harris) Hitachi Ltd.. 
			 15 January Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. Douglas Alexander) National Air Traffic Service 
			  Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Mr. Tom Harris) Northampton Rail Users Group 
			   British Railways Board Residual 
			   First Great Western 
			
			 22 January Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Mr. Tom Harris) London Development Agency 
			   Parry People Movers Ltd.. 
			
			 29 January Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. Douglas Alexander) British Airways 
			   British Airports Association 
			  Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Mr. Tom Harris) Westinghouse Rail Systems Ltd.. UK 
			
			 5 February Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. Douglas Alexander) Network Rail 
			   Virgin 
			   Transport for London 
			  Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Mr. Tom Harris) Canary Wharf Group plc 
			
			 19 February Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. Douglas Alexander) BMI 
			
			 26 February Secretary of State (Mr. Douglas Alexander) Network Rail 
			   Lothian Buses 
			  Minister of State (Dr. Ladyman) National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport workers/Clyde Marine 
			   Brake 
			  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Mr. Tom Harris) Chiltern Railways 
			   BAA 
			   Canary Wharf Group 
			   Network Rail 
			   Hitachi Ltd.. 
			
			 5 March Secretary of State (Mr. Douglas Alexander) Network Rail 
			   Passenger Focus 
			   Campaign for Crossrail 
			   BAA 
			  Minister of State (Dr. Ladyman) Freight Transport Association 
			  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Mr. Tom Harris) Norwood Rail Users Group, First Capital Connect 
			   London Travel Watch, Passenger Focus 
			  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Gillian Merron) Boeing 
			
			 12 March Secretary of State (Mr. Douglas Alexander) Airbus 
			   EasyJet 
			   BA 
			   Maersk 
			  Minister of State (Dr. Ladyman) Norwich Union Insurance 
			   UK Maritime Pilots Association 
			   Association of British Insurers 
			  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Mr. Tom Harris) Black Country Consortium 
			  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Gillian Merron) Metronet Rail 
			
			 19 March Secretary of State (Mr. Douglas Alexander) Civil Aviation Authority 
			  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Mr. Tom Harris) Railfreight Interchange Investment Group 
			
			 26 March Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Mr. Tom Harris) BAE Systems Yards 
			   Institute of Civil Engineers 
			  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Gillian Merron) UK Youth Parliament

Driving: Licensing

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the number of fraudulent applications for driving licences in each of the last four years; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: I am not able to estimate the number of fraudulent applications for driving licences. DVLA report suspect documents to the police and the following are the statistics available since July 2005 for such reports. We have no accurate data for reports prior to that date:
	Between 1 July 2005 and 31 March 2006: 1,484 cases were reported. Between April 2006 and 31 March 2007: 2,463 cases were reported.

Eurotunnel

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to protect the rights of minority shareholders in the restructuring of Eurotunnel plc.

Tom Harris: Eurotunnel is a private sector entity, owned by its shareholders. Any restructuring proposals are a private matter for them.

Northern Rail

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the increased passenger numbers using Northern Rail; and what actions his Department is taking to ensure the extra capacity needed to accommodate these passengers is available.

Tom Harris: Passenger journeys on the Northern Rail network were estimated at nearly 61 million in 2004-05 and passenger numbers have grown at approximately 10 per cent. per annum in each of the past two years.
	The Department continues to work closely with Northern Rail and other local stakeholders to identify and secure value for money opportunities to provide additional capacity. In recent months, Northern Rail has introduced an additional six trains to provide additional capacity in West Yorkshire, has announced an additional six trains to strengthen services into Liverpool and, in conjunction with the Department and other partners has secured the retention of eight vehicles in trains serving Leeds that otherwise would have been removed this month.
	The High Level Output Specification (HLOS), to be published in summer, will set out the additional rail capacity the Government propose to buy to meet the recent and forecast growth in demand for rail travel.
	The Secretary of State has already announced his intention of specifying 1,000 extra carriages to come into service between now and 2014.
	It is too early to say precisely where the additional rolling stock will be used: the rail industry's October 2007 response to the HLOS will identify this. However, the most congested routes are likely to be early priorities.

Railways: Birmingham

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the likely effect of terminating and beginning services at Birmingham on  (a) passenger numbers and  (b) average travel times for passengers travelling from Warrington or Glasgow to the South and South West.

Tom Harris: The specification for the New Cross Country franchise does not significantly change the number of trains terminating and beginning at Birmingham. The specification will lead to new through journey opportunities and, overall, the Department for Transport expects that the changes proposed will result in broadly the same passenger numbers. Journey times from Warrington or Glasgow to Birmingham will reduce and hence average travel times to the South and South West will be broadly similar to today.

Railways: Timetables

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for how many years ahead rail timetable plans are made.

Tom Harris: Rail timetable plans that make significant adjustments to the permanent service are normally planned 18-24 months in advance.
	Rail timetable plans associated with major projects to enhance capacity, such as infrastructure upgrades, may need to be planned up to five years in advance.
	All rail plans including pre-planned disruption alterations, (e.g. engineering blockades), are targeted to be published 12 weeks in advance.

Transport: Great Yarmouth

Julian Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations his Department received, and from whom, in support of the prospective composite package of public funding which has subsequently been granted to East Port Great Yarmouth.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department for Trade and Industry, Department for Transport and Government Office for the East of England received in total 151 letters in support of the Eastport project: 17 from stakeholders, seven from local authorities (one of the letters also listed the names of 36 companies who supported the project), four from MPs and 123 from local businesses.

Wolverton Station: Repairs and Maintenance

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason the budget allocated to Wolverton station for an upgrade of station buildings has been reduced.

Tom Harris: A grant was awarded from the Community Infrastructure Fund for both the enlargement of Milton Keynes station and provision of a new building at Wolverton station. There has been no reduction to the total amount.

TREASURY

Average Earnings

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average hourly pay of the lowest duo-decile of working age people in employment was in each quarter since 1997.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 19 April 2007:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the average hourly pay of the lowest duo-decile of working age people in employment was in each quarter since 1997. (132411)
	Quarterly estimates are not available. Average levels of earnings are estimated from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), and are provided for all employees on adult rates of pay whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence. This is the standard definition used for ASHE. The ASHE does not collect information on the self employed and people who do unpaid work.
	I attach tables showing the 5th percentile of Gross Hourly Pay, for all employees, for the years 1997-2006.
	The ASHE, carried out in April each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom. It is a one per cent. sample of all employees who are members of pay-as-you-earn schemes.
	
		
			  Gross hourly earnings for all employee ( 1)  jobs 
			  UK  5( th)  Percentile 
			 1997 3.35 
			 1998 3.50 
			 1999 3.75 
			 2000 3.96 
			 2001 4.08 
			 2002 4.35 
			 2003 4.55 
			 2004 excl. 4.77 
			 2004 inc. (2) 4.75 
			 2005 4.99 
			 2006 5.15 
			 (1) Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence. (2) In 2004 additional supplementary surveys were introduced to improve the coverage of the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings. Figures are presented both excluding and including the additional surveys for comparison purposes.  Source:  Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Office for National Statistics.

Child Tax Credit

Stephen Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the cost was of child tax credit for families with children aged 16 to 19 years in full-time education and training in  (a) 2005-06 and  (b) 2006-07; and what the cost is expected to be in 2007-08;
	(2)  what the cost was of child benefit paid to children aged 16 to 19 years in full-time education and training in  (a) 2005-06 and  (b) 2006-07; and what the cost is expected to be in 2007-08.

Dawn Primarolo: The latest information on finalised child tax credit awards is for 2004-05. It is estimated that the entitlement for families with one or more children aged at least 16 at the previous 31 August was about £1.8 billion. This includes families receiving the equivalent level of support via income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance.
	In 2005-06, around £.9 billion was paid in child benefit to families in respect of children aged at least 16 at the previous August.
	Estimates and forecasts for later years are not available.

Civil Servants: Location

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants have been moved from London since the Lyons review.

Stephen Timms: As part of the Lyons relocation programme, by December 2006 11,068 posts had been relocated out of London and the south-east to every nation and region in the UK.

Civil Servants: Location

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants have moved to Yorkshire and Humberside region since the Lyons review.

Stephen Timms: Of the 11,068 posts that had been relocated out of London and the south-east by December 2006, 2,287 had been moved to Yorkshire and Humberside.

Debts: Developing Countries

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what steps the Government are taking to protect heavily indebted poor countries and other indebted developing countries from litigation by vulture funds in British courts;
	(2)  what options have been discussed for Government action to pre-empt litigation by vulture funds and other commercial creditors against heavily indebted poor countries and other indebted developing countries, including within the Paris club;
	(3)  what steps the UK Government have taken to prevent the exploitation of developing countries by vulture funds since May 2002;
	(4)  what sums have been received from the Exchequer through taxation of awards made to vulture funds which have successfully sued developing country governments in British courts;
	(5)  if he will make a statement on the principles on fair debt restructuring, in relation to vulture funds.

Edward Balls: The Government have made clear its concern over the activities of so-called vulture funds and the problems they case for those countries that have received debt relief under the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) Initiative.
	The Government's action to date has focused on preventing vulture fund litigation through the elimination of commercial debts and on strengthening debt management in HIPCs. The Department for International Development (DFID) co-funds a debt management capacity building programme that, through better debt management, should help to avoid debts being sold on to potential litigators. DFID also supports the World Bank's Debt Reduction Facility, which provides grants to enable countries to buy back their commercial debts at very significant discount (on average over 90 per cent. reduction), thereby removing the potential for litigation. Since its establishment, this facility has helped eliminate around $8 billion of debt in low-income countries.
	The UK has assisted HIPCs in fighting aggressive creditors. We are also encouraging the African Development Bank to develop a Legal Assistance Facility, which will offer advice to HIPC countries facing litigation. DFID has also been working with partner Governments to tackle the corruption that can make it easier for vulture funds to purchase distressed debts in the first place.
	All Governments and companies have a responsibility to ensure that debts of vulnerable countries are not sold to vulture funds. The UK is working with our international partners to agree a Charter on Responsible Lending. The G20 agreed a set of Principles on Fair Debt Restructuring in 2004 and the UK fully supports this.
	The Paris Club group of sovereign creditors recognise the importance of tackling vulture fund activity against HIPCs and press for comparable debt relief treatment from all creditors. The UK is an active member of this group.
	HMG does not hold a record of the awards made against developing country Governments in UK courts or the identity and/or country of residence of the parties involved. Some information on existing lawsuits is published by the IMF in their HIPC Status of Implementation Report. This is available at:
	http://www.imf.org/external/np/pp/eng/2006/082106.pdf

Poverty: Children

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what total Government expenditure has been on policies aimed at reducing child poverty since 1997.

Stephen Timms: The Government have invested significant resources since 1997 in our commitment to halve and eradicate child poverty.
	Budget 2007 announced £1 billion for the child element of the child tax credit, and £1.3 billion for the working tax credit. Along with the package of reforms to the personal tax and benefit system announced at the Budget, this will help lift around 200,000 children out of poverty.
	However it is not possible to provide a complete figure for all spending aimed at reducing child poverty as this would include a large but undefined proportion of numerous Government programmes, including social housing, welfare to work, and the tax and benefit system.
	As a result of personal tax and benefit measures introduced since 1997, by April 2009, families with children will have benefited from around £13 billion additional spending per year.

Suicide

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many  (a) men and  (b) women aged between 55 and 59 years of age committed suicide in 2003, broken down by method of suicide chosen.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 19 April 2007:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many (a) men and (b) women aged between 55 and 59 years of age committed suicide in 2003, broken down by method of suicide chosen. (132469)
	Numbers of suicides (deaths from intentional self-harm and injury or poisoning of undetermined intent) of those aged 55 to 59, which occurred in 2003 in England and Wales, are shown in the table below by sex and method.
	
		
			  Number of suicides( 1)  by sex and method( 2)  for those aged 55-59, England and Wales, 2003( 3) 
			  Method  (a) Men  (b) Women 
			 Drug-related poisoning 37 45 
			 'Other' poisoning 19 4 
			 Hanging, strangulation and suffocation 106 22 
			 Drowning 11 6 
			 Firearms and explosives 13 1 
			 Sharp objects 11 0 
			 Jumping/falling from a high place 2 6 
			 Jumping/lying/falling before moving object 11 6 
			 Smoke, fire and flames 5 1 
			 Other specified and unspecified means 21 6 
			 Total 236 97 
			 (1 )In routine statistics, ONS defines suicides as deaths from both intentional self-harm and 'injury or poisoning of undetermined intent'. It is likely that most of these latter deaths are cases where the harm is self-inflicted but there was insufficient evidence to prove that the deceased deliberately intended to kill themselves. The cause of death for intentional self-harm was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes X60-X84, and the cause of death for injury or poisoning of undetermined intent was defined using ICD-10 codes Y10-Y34 excluding Y33.9 where the Coroner's verdict was pending. (2 )Suicides were grouped by method using the following ICD-10 codes. These categories are based on an article which was published in Health Statistics Quarterly 20*: Drug-related poisoning—X60-X64, Yl0-Yl4 Other poisoning—X65-X69, Yl5-Yl9 Hanging, strangulation and suffocation—X70, Y20 Drowning—XII, Y21 Firearms and explosives—X72-X75, Y22-Y25 Sharp objects—X78, Y28 Jumping/falling from a high place—X80, Y30 Jumping/lying/falling before moving object—X81, Y31 Smoke, fire and flames—X76, Y26 Other specified and unspecified means—X83-X84, Y33-Y34 (3 )Figures are for deaths occurring in the calendar year. * Brock A and Griffiths C (2003) Trends in suicide by method in England and Wales, 1979 to 2001. Health Statistics Quarterly 20, 7-18

Taxation: NHS

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has  (a) commissioned and  (b) evaluated research on the public's willingness to pay a hypothecated NHS tax.

Stephen Timms: No such research has been undertaken.
	The Chancellor set out the Government's position on hypothecation of tax to the NHS in his evidence to the Treasury Select Committee on 11 December 2001 (Treasury—Minutes of Evidence, 11 December 2001, Session 2001-2002, HC 430iii:
	http://www.publications.parliament.Uk/pa/cm200102/cmselect/cmtreasy/430/430toc.htm#evidence ).

Tote

Hugo Swire: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what correspondence his Department has had with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the sale of the Tote and what progress has been made with its sale;
	(2)  what the procedure is for his Department's approval for the sale of the Tote.

Stephen Timms: An announcement on the sale of the Tote is expected to be made shortly. The Government remain committed to proceeding with its objectives of removing the Tote from public ownership, promoting horserace pool betting and benefiting racing.

Welfare Tax Credits

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much additional income  (a) a single parent and  (b) a married couple with one child are entitled to if each such household has a single worker in part-time work earning their income support entitlement, assuming that each household had its rent covered in full and claimed its full entitlement to tax credits.

Stephen Timms: A single parent with one child earning the same amount as their income support entitlement is £20 a week better off than on income support in 2007-08, both before and after housing costs are taken into account. A couple with one child earning the same as their income support entitlement is around £65 a week better off before housing costs and around £18 a week better off after housing costs are taken into account.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Advertising

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department spent on  (a) sponsoring newspaper and publication supplements and  (b) funding advertorials in newspapers and publications in the last year for which figures are available; and what the topic of each was.

Anne McGuire: Spend on newspaper supplements, advertorials and Featurelink in 2005-06 is in the following table.
	
		
			  £000 
			   Supplements  Advertorials  Featurelink 
			 Jobcentre Plus—services to employers — 15,000 — 
			 Office for Disability Issues (Extending boundaries) 50,926 — — 
			 Targeting Benefit Fraud — — 45,231 
			 Winter Fuel Payments — — 133,755 
			 State Second Pension — — 187,357 
			 Pension Credit — — 30,176 
			 State Pension Deferral — 196,154 — 
			  Notes: 1. Figures are for 2005-06, which is the last financial year for which figures are available 2. All costs are shown in pounds sterling and are exclusive of VAT  3. Jobcentre Plus does not hold centrally details of what each of its Regions and Districts may have spent sponsoring or funding advertorials. We could obtain this information only at disproportionate cost. 4. The Department purchased branded advertising features which included advertorials using the commercial 'Featurelink' service

Child Support Agency

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many  (a) total and  (b) full-time equivalent staff were involved in processing clerical Child Support Agency cases in each month since January 2005; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive. He will write to the hon. Lady with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 19 April 2007:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many (a) total and (b) full-time equivalent staff were involved in processing clerical Child Support Agency cases in each month since January 2005; and if he will make a statement.
	The number of fulltime equivalent staff working on clerical cases between January 2005 and January 2007 is provided in the attached table. Unfortunately we are unable to provide the total number of individual people involved in progressing clerical cases, as this information is not recorded.
	In September 2006 the Agency transferred all of its clerical cases to the CSA Bolton site, managed by Vertex. By progressing clerical cases together in one location the Agency expects to deliver a much more efficient service to clients. CSA Bolton is currently processing over 26,000 Agency cases, and has delivered more than £7.5m in maintenance payments since its launch in September 2006.
	A number of Agency people continue to be involved in clerical case progression. Their roles include the transferral of clerical cases to the CSA Bolton office, aiding in clerical case complaint resolution, and sharing best practise with the Bolton office to ensure Agency clients receive a consistent level of service.
	Unfortunately we are unable to provide information concerning the number of people employed by Vertex for the clerical progression of Agency cases. As such, the information provided covers only those Agency employees engaged in clerical case progression.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.
	
		
			  Month  Full - time  equivalents processing clerical cases 
			 January 2005 289 
			 February 2005 300 
			 March 2005 301 
			 April 2005 389 
			 May 2005 407 
			 June 2005 431 
			 July 2005 454 
			 August 2005 436 
			 September 2005 456 
			 October 2005 439 
			 November 2005 463 
			 December 2005 546 
			 January 2006 565 
			 February 2006 560 
			 March 2006 596 
			 April 2006 595 
			 May 2006 635 
			 June 2006 620 
			 July 2006 613 
			 August 2006 605 
			 September 2006 602 
			 October 2006 511 
			 November 2006 454 
			 December 2006 92 
			 January 2007 81

Departments: Internet

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to improve the user-friendliness of his Department's website.

Anne McGuire: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has a complete set of standards and guidelines on usability and accessibility on its websites. The standards are for information published on DWP internet and intranet sites. The guidelines are on strategic requirements, use of cascading style sheets, page length, the importance of accuracy, usability, accessibility and design when developing content.
	DWP is committed to improving the accessibility of its own websites. All its sites are working towards complying with the World Wide Web Consortium's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (W3C WCAG) at Level AA, in line with Cabinet Office guidance. Guidelines have been developed for site managers, and a testing and improvement programme is now in place. In a recent audit, 45 per cent. of DWP's information sites passed automated checks for level AA.
	User testing of the DWP site www.dwp.gov.uk will take place in May 2007 and the results will be fed into making further improvements to the site.

Departments: Public Appointments

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the former hon. Members who left Parliament in 2005 who have since been appointed to public bodies by his Department, broken down by party; and who was responsible for making each appointment.

Anne McGuire: Information about the political activity of appointees is recorded and publicised in accordance with the Independent Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice. This shows that no former hon. Members who left Parliament in 2005 have since been appointed to public bodies sponsored by the Department.

Lone Parents

Terry Rooney: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many lone parents have had a benefit sanction for failure to attend a work focused interview in each of the last four years; what proportion of booked work focused interviews for lone parents resulted in a sanction in each of the last four years; and what research his Department has undertaken on the impact of sanctions on lone parents on their subsequent moves into employment.

Jim Murphy: holding answer 19 January 2007
	 The available information on the number of lone parent work focused interviews booked, and number and percentage of benefit sanctions applied, is in the table.
	
		
			  Lone parent work focused interview (WFI) benefit sanctions 
			  Year WFI was first booked  Number of WFIs booked  Number of sanctions applied  Percentage of booked WFIs sanctioned 
			 April 2002-March 2003 338,800 5,600 1.7 
			 April 2003-March 2004 603,100 14,300 2.4 
			 April 2004-March 2005 770,100 31,800 4.1 
			 April 2005-March 2006 908,300 40,300 4.4 
			  Note: Data exclude quarterly WFIs which were introduced nationally from October 2005 for lone parents whose youngest child is aged 14 and over as this administrative data are not yet available for analysis.  Source: Labour Market Service evaluation databases. 
		
	
	We plan to carry out research into the impact of benefit sanctions on lone parents on their subsequent moves into employment.